First Of 40 To Be Delivered To The Russian Company

UTair has received three MI-171 helicopters from Ulan-Ude Aviation, a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters aircraft manufacturing holding company.

The delivery is part of a contract for the manufacture of 40 Mi-171 helicopters, signed by Russian Helicopters and UTair Aviation in August of last year at the MAKS air show in the presence of then Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Since 2008, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant has already delivered 44 helicopters to UTair as part of orders from two separate contracts. Currently UTair Airlines operates approx. 50 Mi-171 helicopters produced by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.
 
"For the development of helicopter operations in new markets, UTair aircraft need to meet the highest production standards and particular specifications of our customers," remarked UTair General Director Andrey Martirosov. "We're planning to integrate new certified Mi-171 rotorcraft with existing UTair helicopter operations in Latin America."
 
The three helicopters, delivered in July will be based at the UTair subsidiary HeliSur in Peru. To date, HeliSur conducts operations with six Mi-171 aircraft manufactured at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. "The first delivery of this large contract for 40 Mi-171 helicopters is a landmark event for the airline, the Russian helicopter industry and the whole country," said Leonid Belykh, Managing Director of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. "UTair is one of our largest customers and a long-standing partner in the development of the Russian Helicopters holding. To fulfill contract obligations for other helicopters, we are preparing to acquire a range of certifications and licenses in the coming years, including certification for helicopters in more complex configurations."

FMI: www.utair.ru/en