OREANDA-NEWS. April 06, 2015. UTair charter flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft transported over 400 participants and guests of the XVIII Winter Deaflympics from Moscow to Khanty-Mansiysk. The competition will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk and Magnitogorsk from March 28 through April 5 2015.

The Deaflympics, previously the World Games for the Deaf until 2001, are an international sporting event for deaf athletes held every four years. The Deaflympics have the same status as the Olympic and Paralympic games.

Event program includes competitions in five sports disciplines with 344 athletes from 27 countries vying for 31 sets of medals. Ice hockey, curling, cross-country skiing and snowboarding competitions will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk, while Magnitogorsk will host Alpine skiing.

UTair-Passenger Airlines President Oleg Semenov noted that UTair was greatly honored to be the official airline of the Winter Deaflympics for the first time. “Securing the most comfortable flight conditions for passengers with hearing disabilities is an additional challenge for UTair, air and cabin crews,” said Mr. Semenov. “UTair flight attendants are committed to finding an individual approach to every passenger and providing all necessary flight information through personal communication. In addition, UTair pays special attention to the transportation of sports equipment and other luggage needed for participation in the Games. UTair has gained experience transporting equipment over many years of successful cooperation with sports organizations, including the International Biathlon Union, the Russian Biathlon Union, and the professional teams of the Kontinental Hockey League and VTB United League.”

On March 29, a UTair charter flight will transport a group of alpine skiers from Khanty-Mansiysk to Magnitogorsk. After the competitions end on April 3, a return flight will take them back to Khanty-Mansiysk where the official Deaflympics closing ceremony will take place. On April 5 UTair aircraft will transport participants and guests of the XVIII Winter Deaflympics back to Moscow.

 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-Helicopter services, Turuhan, Vostok Airlines, 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 to more than 110 destinations, including 50 unique destinations.