OREANDA-NEWS. On 19 May 2008 was announced, that UTair Aviation started ATR-72 liner operation of the European manufacture within the program of passenger air fleet modernization. One of the airplanes of this type got by the company has executed the first regular passenger flight on May, 8th, 2008 on a route Tyumen – Surgut.

Within the ATR-72 examination program UTair pilots have passed in Europe the course of theoretical and practical training, and also all necessary trainings for unassisted flights.

Airplane maintenance performed by the employees of affiliate UTair-Technic who have passed special training.

ATR-72 airplanes have identical interior configuration with 68 seats. It’s planned to use the airplanes of this type on routes with high potential on passenger demand since June, 2008. It will be international flights from Moscow to Ukraine and Baltics, and regional in Western Siberia and Volga region.

Commissioning of this type of an aircrafts will allow UTair to create optimum structure of regional airplanes park which will correspond to requirements of developing passenger traffic market. Also it will help to cut down fuel costs and, finally, will give to the company opportunities to provide more competitive product in the passenger traffic market.

Quantity of ATR-72 airplanes in UTair park will reach 3 units in 2008.