UTair-Express Launches АТR 72-500 Aircraft Operations

In the context of its fleet renewal program, UTair-Express has launched operations with ATR 72-500 aircraft transferred from the UTair Aviation fleet. This aircraft type is listed in the UTair-Express Air Operator Certificate. The aircraft made its inaugural service flights for UTair-Express on the routes from Moscow to Voronezh and from Moscow to Kirov.

In accordance with an approved schedule of fleet expansion before February 28, 2014, UTair-Express will receive 13 ATR 72-500 aircraft assembled in 2011-2012. These aircraft will be used in operations on popular routes such as Moscow – Ulyanovsk, Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow – Tambov, Moscow – Kursk, and Surgut – Ekaterinburg – Nizhny Novgorod and others.

The ATR 72-500 is a modern passenger twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed for medium-haul flights produced by the French-Italian Group ATR. The aircraft can accommodate up to 74 passengers.

Passenger and cargo airlines within the UTair Group continually expand their fleets with modern aircraft. This year, UTair Aviation received 3 Airbus A321 aircraft manufactured in Toulouse and by the end of 2013 the airline expects to receive an additional aircraft of this type as part of a contract for 20 aircraft signed in 2012 as well as Boeing 737-800 aircraft as part of a contract for 40 aircraft signed in 2011.