Launch customer for Russian-built AW139s

Russia’s largest rotorcraft operator UTair Aviation has become the launch customer for locally built AgustaWestland AW139 medium two-engined helicopters by signing a letter of intent to buy 20 of the type. The deal was announced by AgustaWestland and the Russian Helicopters holding company in late August. The partners’ joint venture HeliVert is expected to launch AW139 production in Russia later this fall.

UTair currently has no AgustaWestland helicopters. Its foreign-made rotorcraft fleet is made up of piston-engine Robinson R-44s and several Eurocopter models, including AS-355 Ns, AS-350 B3s, and BO-105s.

AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini says the AW139 assembly line, currently under construction in the settlement of Tomilino outside Moscow, will be formally launched in October. Earlier, Russian Helicopters General Director Dmitry Petrov told Show Observer that the first airframes would roll out in early 2012. "The workflow processes will be organized just like at any other AgustaWestland assembly line," he said.