UTair gets its first AW139s

Russia’s largest helicopter operator UTair Aviation in April began operating its first two VIP-configured AgustaWestland AW139 twin-engine helicopters of the 10 on order. The remaining eight airframes should be delivered later in 2013.

UTair became the first Russian commercial operator of the type. Several examples had been delivered to the Rossiya presidential air service in 2011 to be used as government transports.

Meanwhile, AW139 production is launching in the settlement of Tomilino outside Moscow, at the HeliVert joint enterprise set up by AgustaWestland and Russia’s Oboronprom holding company in November 2008. The first Russian-assembled AW139 flew on 19 December 2012. HeliVert expects to reach its intended annual production rate of 15 to 20 airframes in the first five years of operation. The Russian-built helicopters will be marketed in Russia and the CIS.

At 6,400 kg MTOW, the AW139 seats up to 15 passengers. It cruises at 306 km/h and has a range of over 927 km with an endurance of 5 hours.