Russia Arctic helicopter alliance
The two Russian helicopter companies Naryan-Mar United Air Group and UTair Aviation have signed a cooperation agreement, which is to help the two air carriers join efforts in the Russian High North, including in Murmansk Oblast
The new alliance plans to implement a number of joint projects with the use of Mil-typed helicopters, a press release from the Nenets AO administration reads. Particularly important will be personnel and goods transport to remote settlements in Murmansk Oblast, the press release informs.
The Nenets aviators and UTair already cooperate in several projects, among them for the Russian oil and gas industry, as well as for United Nation operations in Afghanistan.
The current decline in helicopter transport volumes calls for consolidation efforts. For us this agreement is a good chance to get additional work volumes and joint participation in tenders, Valeryi Afanasyev, Director General of the Naryan-Mar United Air Group.
The Naryan-Mar United Air Group is main air carrier in the Nenets Autonomous okrug. The enterprise has been working since 1946. The enterprise makes regular carriage of passengers, helicopters works by order of oil companies and authorities, provides airport services. The air park consists from 18 Mi-8T helicopters, 4 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters and 7 An-2 airplanes.
UTair is one of the major world helicopter operators in terms of transport volumes. The company has more than 200 Russian-made helicopters.
