Russian Helicopters Delivers 14 Mi-8 Choppers to State Airlines

Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, has delivered 14 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters to various Russian airlines.

The helicopters, manufactured at the Kazan Helicopter Plant, are part of an 86-unit contract with the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK). Ten helicopters are designated for UTair-Helicopter Services, which will utilize them for passenger and cargo transport, medical missions, and other aviation duties. UTair now operates the largest fleet of Mi-8MTV-1 and Mi-8AMT helicopters in Russia.

Additionally, four helicopters have been allocated to airlines Converse Avia, Komiaviatrans, LIDER, and the 2nd Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron. This delivery forms part of a broader effort in 2024, where Russian Helicopters delivered 40 Mi-8MTV-1 units to GTLK, benefiting carriers like Kolyma Aviation, Vologda Aviation Enterprise, Vityaz-Aero, Yeltsovka Airlines, ChukotAVIA, and others.

The Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters come equipped with optional additional fuel tanks that extend their range to 1,050 km. With a cargo capacity of up to 4 tons, they are also capable of housing medical modules if needed. The helicopters are suited for extreme environments, including remote areas in the Arctic and Far East, thanks to their robust design. In December, two Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters flew a record 6,000 km from Kazan to Magadan, further demonstrating their reliability and performance.

According to Nikolay Yakovlev, General Director of the Kazan Helicopter Plant, the company met its 2024 production targets and is continuing to fulfill contracts for 2025, providing modern helicopters to regional airlines and other customers.