Regular helicopter passenger operations losing popularity

The Russian government’s resolution #1212 on subsidizing aircraft lease payments in parallel with improvements to ground infrastructure is negatively affecting the volume of commercial helicopter passenger services, say providers polled by Show Observer. 

For example, the resolution has prompted the carriers ChukotAVIA and Polar Airlines, which used to operate Mil Mi-8 helicopters, to purchase DHC-6 Twin Otter Series and Pilatus PC-6 fixed-wing turboprops respectively. The Primorsky Territory administration also opted to replace its Mi-8s with DHC-6s.

“As new Twin Otter-capable airfields get built and existing strips get improved, Mi-8 helicopters will stop serving these locations, meaning that their flying time will decrease,” says ChukotAVIA head Tomash Troyanovsky. “The DHC-6 is cheaper in operation than the Mi-8. However, there is still work for the Mi-8s, which perform medical flights and so on. The helicopter can fly medical missions in worse weather conditions than the DHC-6. Chukotka is known for its high winds and blizzards, and helicopters are immune to crosswinds.”