UTair of Russia has been certified as an AW139 helicopter operator and is set to operate a fleet of ten for passenger, corporate and vvip transport missions in Russia.

The first aircraft is expected to be handed over this summer with deliveries planned to be completed by summer 2013. The aircraft will be deployed in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi and at additional bases located in Siberia. Additionally UTair is set to become an authorised service centre for the AW139. Initial training of UTair staff has started with plans for approximately 60 pilots and 40 technicians to be qualified to fly and maintain the AW139.

The AW139 has been chosen by a number of Russian companies, including Exclases Holdings which placed an order for two earlier this year.

The AW139 is to be assembled and delivered by the HeliVert plant located in Tomilino, near Moscow. HeliVert is a joint venture company established by Russian Helicopters and Agusta Westland. The plant will have the capacity to assemble up to 20 helicopters a year, with production to start in the forthcoming months and progressively increasing to a steady state regime by 2015.

UTair Aviation JSC is the world's largest helicopter operator in terms of carrying capacity and number of rotorcraft, with more than 330 helicopters of all classes. UTair is the largest helicopter service provider to the United Nations, with cooperation agreements since 1992. In Russia core clients for UTair helicopter services include the major oil and gas companies.