The Superjet 100 project is a family of medium-haul passenger aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in cooperation with major U.S. and European aviation corporations, including Boeing, Snecma, Thales, Messier Dowty, Liebherr Aerospace and Honeywell.
Sukhoi's Mikhail Pogosyan said certification flights would be completed in the second half of 2009, after which "airplane deliveries will begin."
He added that the first Superjet 100 aircraft had made 40 test flights, clocking a total of 100 hours flying. A total of four planes will take part in the certification program.
Sukhoi said previously it planned to complete the certification in the first half of 2009 and roll out the new aircraft at the International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget next year.
Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, plans to manufacture at least 700 Superjet 100s, and intends to sell 35% of them to North America, 25% to Europe, 10% to Latin America, and 7% to Russia and China.
Sukhoi earlier said it had so far secured at least 100 firm orders for the aircraft.
The airliner made its first test flights in May and Sukhoi is planning to start Superjet 100 deliveries to clients in the second half of 2009.
Russian government's foreign investment commission recently approved the acquisition of 25% plus one share in Sukhoi Civil Aircraft by Switzerland's World's Wing SA.
