Eurocopter starts deliveries to UTair Aviation

Eurocopter has started to
deliver the first of twenty helicopters to UTair Aviation. It is to be followed
by deliveries of the enhanced AS350 B3e version, for which UTair is the launch
customer in Russia,
along with the twin-engine Ecureuil AS355 NP variant.

“UTair Aviation is actively involved in a wide range of helicopter operations
including humanitarian missions for the UN, charter flights to distant ant hardly
accessible regions, surveillance and monitoring flights for oil and gas
industry. Ecureuil helicopter has a proven track record carrying out such
missions, and we are happy to expand our fleet with this high performance
machine; we believe that the AS350 B3 will be very helpful in our job and will
make it even more efficient”, said UTair Aviation general director Andrey
Martirosov.

The new helicopters are to be used for passenger transportation, oil and gas
pipeline patrol missions, medical flights, and in external load cargo
deliveries. They will join UTair Aviation’s existing Eurocopter-built inventory
of AS350 B3, AS355 N and EC130 B4 rotary-wing aircraft, which have been
operated by the company since 2006, along with the BO105. Additionally, UTair
Aviation is a launch customer for Eurocopter’s new EC175, signing a firm
contract earlier this year for 15 of the medium twin-engine helicopters.

“Our latest Ecureuil deliveries to UTair mark another milestone in Eurocopter’s
relationship with this strategic customer as we work in partnership to further
evolve its operational capabilities and develop the business base,” explained
Eurocopter Vostok chief executive officer Laurence Rigolini. “In the framework
of this cooperation, a training academy and a certified maintenance center are
being created at UTair’s engineering facility in Tyumen – which is fully aligned with
Eurocopter’s commitment to the safety and support of our customers around the
globe.”