OREANDA-NEWS. December 5, 2012. UTair Aviation and VTB Leasing Group have concluded a financing agreement for the purchase of Boeing 767-200 aircraft. The deal is part of an ongoing project for the development of cooperation between the two companies based on financing arrangements for the airline’s fleet expansion.

At present UTair and VTB Leasing Group are in talks considering financing arrangements for the purchase of additional Boeing 767-200 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft within an existing contract for delivery of 40 aircraft concluded with Boeing in 2011. Financing for the purchase of Mi-171 helicopters with a delivery window in 2013-2014 is also being considered.

Cooperation between UTair and VTB Leasing began in 2007 with a financing project for the purchase of MRO and other supplies for Boeing 737-500 aircraft. “VTB Leasing was the first leasing company to conclude financing agreements with UTair according to international leasing standards,” commented UTair CFO Igor Petrov. “We are confident that the agreement for the purchase of Boeing 767-200 aircraft has initiated a new phase of cooperation between our companies.”

“UTair is the fastest growing company in the civil aviation sector and has unique experience in both the passenger and helicopter segments and is one of the world's top players in the latter,” said VTB Leasing General Director Alexei Konoplev. “We consider the expansion projects of UTair to be both interesting and promising and would like to offer our services as a reliable partner in this effort.”

The Boeing 767-200 aircraft is one of the most reliable and popular long-haul wide-body aircraft in the world today used in commercial flight operations by leading international carriers. UTair currently has three aircraft of this type used in performing flight operations on routes between Moscow and Surgut, Moscow and Tyumen, Moscow and Sochi and Moscow and Irkutsks. Next year UTair Aviation expects to the delivery and integration of five more Boeing 767-200s into its fleet. Boeing 767-200 aircraft were chosen specifically by UTair in line with the airline's intention to develop its long-haul segment, both within Russia and abroad.

UTair Aviation ranks among the top three Russian airlines. In 2011 UTair aircraft transported 6,750,425 passengers. In the period from January-October 2012 UTair Group serviced 31.4% more passengers than for the same period of 2011. In 2012 the airline expects an increased transport volume of up to 10 million passengers. The airline operates more than 200 fixed wing aircraft and performs flights to 110 destinations in Russia and aboard. The airline maintains its central hub at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, from which it performs 100 flights daily.

Established in 2002, VTB Leasingis the largest Russian leasing company offering a wide range of services in Russia and abroad. Its principal activities include large and medium-sized transactions in the rail transport, aircraft, heavy machinery and equipment for drilling, mining and development segments.