SUKHOI CIVIL Aircraft could be set to land a host of orders for its Superjet 100 after the Russian Government concluded high-level talks with several nations in Southeast Asia. The country’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Viktor Evtukhov, revealed to the local press that an initial purchase agreement had been reached with Vietnam, paving the way for an unspecified number of deliveries to both Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air. This followed the conclusion of similar deals with Laos and Indonesia. Russian Minister of Economic Development, Alexey Ulyukaev, told ITAR-TASS: “A contract for delivery of three [SSJ100s] to Laos was signed as well as agreement for delivery of ten aircraft to Indonesia.” Superjet International CEO Nazario Cauceglia is optimistic Etihad Airways’ recent acquisition of a 49% stake in Alitalia may lead the Italian carrier to reconsider its earlier decision not to order the SSJ100. The Rome-based airline has launched a major overhaul of its workforce and operations as part of the terms of the deal with the UAE flag carrier (see Airliner World, October 2014).