OREANDA-NEWS. UTair Aviation has once again reconfirmed its membership in the International Air Transport Association Ground Handling Council.

Membership in the Council attests to the compliance of UTair’s ground handling system with all international standards and regulations and confers the company with an active role in shaping and discussing international ground handling standards and key principles for improving flight safety and comfort.

President of UTair-Passenger Airlines Oleg Semenov clarified that the list of IATA Ground Handling Council objectives also includes improving the safety systems of controlled ground handling areas, controlling aircraft loading and movement operations, minimizing damage to aircraft on the ground, and the development and shaping of a model for IATA ground handling agreements and other tasks. “UTair is an active participant in the Council and this not only gives us an opportunity to better acquaint ourselves with best practice, but also allows us to influence the shape of industry standards,” stated Mr. Semenov. “This year we will continue to apply successful international experience to our operational activities and will offer our own initiatives for improving quality of aircraft handling.”  

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. In 2014 UTair Group aircraft transported 11,204,598 passengers. UTair Group employs over 14,000 people. UTair Group headquarters are located in Surgut.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)is an international non-government industry association focused on aiding the organization of safe, regular and economically viable air transportation of passengers and cargo, as well as stimulating cooperation between all companies involved in international air transportation. IATA headquarters are located in Montreal. IATA Executive Office in Europe is located in Geneva. IATA represents some 250 airlines. UTair has been an IATA member since 2008 and a member of the IATA Ground Handling Council since 2010.