Russian helicopter charter operator Tyumen Avia Trans (TAT), based in Surgut, Western Siberia, has won United Nations contracts so far this year worth $31 million and hopes to exceed "considerably" last year's $35 million of UN business.
TAT started flying for the UN in 1999 with a $4 million contract. In 2000 its UN activities had risen to $22 million and out of its 174-helicopter fleet the company now operates three Mil Mi-26s, 11 Mi-8 MTVs and three Mi-8Ts in international trouble spots including East Timor, Sierra Leone and Western Sahara.
TAT acquired two Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters in 1999 specifically for its Sierra Leone contract. The operator says that UN contracts allow it to maintain eight Mi-26s in working condition from a total fleet of 18, sustaining its status as the type's largest commercial operator. Last year TAT's helicopter fleet use increased by 52.5%, with four-fifths of contracts coming from energy companies including Gazprom, Sibneft and Surgutneftegaz.
Meanwhile, the operator is also continuing to evaluate the Kazan Ansat light utility helicopter and the upgraded Mil Mi-2 to meet its medium helicopter requirements, although the Ansat is the favoured type (Flight International, 4-10 December 2001).
General director Andrei Martirosov says it is discussing a deal for between five and 10 Ansats with Kazan Helicopters.
Negotiations are thought to hinge on the issue of establishing a maintenance base for the type at TAT's Aircraft Repair Station 26 in Tyumen.
TAT has dropped plans to acquire western regional turboprops, such as the Bombardier Dash-8 and ATR 42, for its airline operations, due to its inability to persuade the Russian government to remove the high import taxes.
But Martirosov says it would be happy to buy Eurocopter helicopters if the government abandons the taxes.
Meanwhile, TAT is due to accept delivery of a Gulfstream IV-SP business jet in August and operate iton behalf of the owner, an unnamed West Siberian energy company.
It will be the first such aircraft to enter service in Russia.
Source: Flight International
