OREANDA-NEWS. November 20, 2007. A Mi-26 helicopter of UTair (UTair Aviation JSC) made a demonstration flight in Italy, where UTair pilots were able to show the fire fighting capabilities of this unique Russian helicopter, the press service of Utair reports.

Representatives of the Defense Ministry of Italy had an opportunity to watch the way the helicopter drops 15 tons of water from a special water reservoir over an imagined fire. The demonstration flight in Rome was conducted by UTair's highly professional crew, who has been fighting the fires in Greece until recently and received recognition for their outstanding quality of work.

UTair boasts long-standing experience in this kind of operations outside Russia. Helicopters and crews of the airlines subsidiaries UTair South Africa and UTair Europe have been involved in fire fighting operations both in Africa and Europe for many years. UTair's helicopter capabilities and professionalism of its crew members make it possible for the airline company to think about the establishment of a global fire fighting system.

UTair is a major helicopter operator in Russia and the world's leader in helicopter service. Its fleet numbers over 180 helicopters, including more than 20 Mi-26s, the world's largest heavy-lift helicopter capable of lifting cargo weighing up to 20 tons, either inside the cargo compartment or in an external sling. Dozens of UTair's helicopters are delievered under export contracts in various regions, from North America to South Africa. In 2008, UTair expects a 25-percent increase in revenue from helicopter exports.