OREANDA-NEWS. 2014 was not an easy year for UTair Aviation or anyone in the Russian aviation industry. The economy, foreign policy, as well as significant changes in the rates of major currencies have affected every single company on the aviation market. Despite the worsening market environment, UTair has demonstrated stable growth in its operational performance and asserted its position as one of the leaders of Russian air transportation market.

UTair Group aircraft transported 11,204,598 passengers in 2014, surpassing 2013 results by 7%. UTair passenger turnover increased by 20.95% and reached 22,486,064 PKM. Passenger load factor grew by 4% and reached 80.2% in 2014. Mail transportation demonstrated the best dynamic with 50.8% growth and a total of 4.775 tons. UTair Group aircraft also carried 128,337 tons of cargo in total. Furthermore, in 2014 membership in the STATUS loyalty program exceeded 600,000 participants.

UTair's positive trend in operational performance reflects the results of the successful implementation of Impulse program and confirms timeliness and relevancy of the selected anti-crisis strategy. “Despite certain difficulties UTair faced in the second half of 2014, we are going ahead with the implementation of efficiency improvement and operational cost optimization measures along with carrying out our operational program,” said UTair General Director Andrey Martirosov. “We are currently engaged in an ongoing constructive dialogue with our partners and counterparties and we are committed to reaching agreement with our creditors and completing our debt restructuring program in the nearest future.”

As an airline with one of the largest route networks in Russia, including over 50 unique destinations, UTair has received numerous awards from leading independent aviation industry organizations in 2014. UTair-Express, part of UTair Group, received the Wings of Russia award, the most prestigious award in Russian aviation, and confirmed its status as the best regional airline in Russia for the third time. The consistently high level of punctuality of UTair and UTair Express flights has been recognized numerous times by leading Russian airports, and www.utair.ru was recognized as one of the most passenger-friendly websites.

Over 2014 UTair Group helicopters performed a range of aviation operations, including highly difficult missions, for its regular customers – the largest companies in the oil and gas industry. Abroad, UTair was involved in helicopter activities in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. UTair helicopters were used in preparation for and support of the XXII Winter Olympics and the Sochi Grand Prix, as well as in the first phase of the project servicing construction works for the Gazprom Neft Novy Port oil terminal within the Arctic Circle.

Moreover, in 2014 UTair continued its successful cooperation with the UN. In conditions of strong international competition, UTair remains the largest provider of aviation services to UN.

In 2014 UTair aircraft performed technical flights to two new Russian airports - Sabetta International Airport, located on the North-East side of the Yamal Peninsula, and Grabtsevo Airport, located in Kaluga.

 “We are glad that the results we achieved and initiatives we realized in 2014 to improve aviation services and move our strategic development forward allow us to remain one of the leaders on the Russia aviation market even in these most difficult times,” said Andrey Martirosov. “In 2015 UTair will continue to make progress in the direction of improving efficiency. At the same time maintaining the highest level of flight safety, convenience and comfort of our passengers, developing an affordable air travel model combining attractive airfares and a full range of services remain our top priorities.”

UTair Aviation is the core enterprise of UTair Group consisting of companies performing aircraft operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft as well as enterprises offering MRO, personnel training, flight services and air transportation sales services. The Group includes UTair-Express, UTair CJSC, Turuhan Airlines, UTair-Helicopter services, Turuhan, Vostok Airlines, Katekavia, Helisur, UTair Europe, UTair South Africa, UTair India, TS-Technik, UTair-Engineering, Ural Aviation Services, UTG and other enterprises. UTair Group employs over 14,000 people. UTair Group headquarters are located in Surgut.