OREANDA-NEWS. On 28 August 2009 UTair Aviation, JSC (UTair Aviation) announced the purchase of Aviacion del Sur S.A. / Helicopteros del Sur S.A. Group of companies (Helisur).

Helisur is the biggest helicopter operator in Peru. Founded in 1994, Helisur renders the whole range of helicopter services, including passenger and cargo transportation, construction and installation operations as well as search-and-rescue flights. In 15 years of the company operation it transported over 500 000 passengers and carried more than 300 000 tons of cargo.

The company holds certificates for all major types of helicopter operations on the territory of Peru, including complex air operations. Helisur flight personnel are one of the best in the country’s aviation industry. Helicopter flight crews have significant experience of flying MIL helicopters, including flights over complex terrain.

Helisur customers include leading oil-and-gas companies and mining enterprises of the South American countries, as well as big construction companies. Repsol-YPF, Petrobras, Pluspetrol Peru Corp., Talisman, Perenco, Techint and other companies use the services of this helicopter operator.

Fleet of UTair’s South-American subsidiary totals one Мi-171 and nine Mi-8 MTV helicopters. The Company plans to enlarge its fleet with Mi-171 aircraft and could also consider purchasing Мi-26 based on the market demand.

Having purchased this new asset UTair is expanding its geography of helicopter operations in America. In the short term it is planned to sign contracts for helicopter operations in a number of countries in Latin America: Chile, Brazil, Columbia, Bolivia and other countries.

The group of companies Aviacion del SUR S.A. / Helicopteros del SUR S.A. also includes a Maintenance Centre certified by MIL Moscow Helicopter Plant. The biggest South American maintenance and repair centre for MIL helicopter types is to be established as part of Helisur Maintenance Centre located in Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima. UTair Engineering JSC which is another UTair subsidiary specialized in helicopter maintenance and overhaul will be involved in this project.