Why 22 Russian-Built Jets Have Sat Rotting At Mexican Airports Since 2020

Interjet's 22 Sukhoi Superjet 100s, ordered in 2011 and delivered from 2013, have sat idle at Toluca International Airport since 2020, creating one of aviation's most unusual fleet stories. The airline took 22 of its 30 SSJ100s and deployed them on domestic Mexican routes before operations stalled amid financial distress and bankruptcy actions. The SSJ100 was marketed as a cost-advantaged regional jet, reportedly about 15% cheaper than Western rivals, with ten jets costing roughly the pre-delivery payment for a single Airbus A320, according to The Points Guy. The jets seat up to 98 passengers and feature Western avionics inputs and SaM146 engines, certifying them to EASA standards. Interjet’s fleet, once central to its growth, represents a failed attempt to expand a regional network amid industry headwinds and regulatory changes. Their prolonged idle status at Toluca underscores complex issues from ownership disputes and restructuring to the broader shift away from niche, Russia-built airliners in North America. The future of the SSJ100s remains uncertain as bankruptcy proceedings unfold and potential buyers weigh the high-cost challenges of restarting a specialized fleet. The episode offers a cautionary tale for airlines pursuing aggressive, non-standard fleets in an increasingly interconnected market.