Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and Slovenian Adria Airways inked an agreement of intent for purchase of fifteen Sukhoi SuperJet 100" (SSJ100) passenger jets, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Monday.

Deliveries are planned from early 2019. The parties also signed an agreement on a joint venture for maintenance and repair of SSJ100.

"Deliveries will start from 2019. First aircraft will be supplied under long-term leasing conditions. An agreement was also signed for establishment of a joint venture on aircraft maintenance and repair (M&R) in Ljubljana Airport (Slovenia) for servicing of SSJ100 type aircraft," Manturov said.

"This technical site will ensure reliability of SSJ100 airplanes operation in the territory of Europe," President of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Alexander Rubtsov said in a comment.

Adria Airways was founded in 1961. The air carrier’s fleet currently consists of nineteen airplanes.