Launch of new Sukhoi plane delayed

The maiden flight of Russia's new Sukhoi Superjet has been put back until next year. The passenger plane was scheduled to take to the skies late in 2007 but now isn't expected to start flights until the early months of the new year.

The Russian Aircraft Holding company says the launch is still within industrial norms.  They say new planes usually begin flying four to five months after being presented to the public.

The Sukhoi passenger Superjet, which seats 100 passengers, is being developed in partnership with Italy's Alenia Aeronautica and America's Boeing.