Eurocopter delivers first EC135 to Gazpromavia

Russian operator Gazpromavia has received the first EC135 T2i helicopter with Russian made mission avionics from Europcopter. It is the first of eight passenger helicopters that the company has ordered. The mission avionics were supplied by St Petersburg based Transas Aviation.

“The EC135’s introduction into our fleet is a milestone event for Gazpromavia, and its Russian content has enabled the perfect customization of this reliable and efficient helicopter to our operational needs,” said Andrey Ovcharenko Gazpromavia’s general director.

Gazpromavia is owned by energy company Gazprom. It is one of the country’s 10 largest airlines operating 108, mainly Russian, helicopters. It became a Eurocopter operator when it received an EC120 in 2006.

Ovcharenko says that Gazpromavia plans to sign training contracts with Eurocopter Vostok, the Russian subsidiary of Eurocopter.

More than 70 Eurocopter helicopters operate in the country.