As the leading supplier of foreign-made turbine-powered rotorcraft in Russia, Airbus Helicopters’ participation at this week’s HeliRussia industry show focuses on its product range and mission diversity – including the display of a single-engine AS350 B3, a best-seller that has earned its reputation with customers in Russia and abroad.
Airbus Helicopters’ AS350 B3 is the only foreign-made rotorcraft chosen by Russian companies for a full range of missions: pipeline monitoring, the airlift of sling loads weighing up to 1.4 tons, geophysical surveys and passenger transportation, among others. This multi-role helicopter also is actively used in VIP flights with up to five passengers.
Its popularity among Russian customers is confirmed by the numbers: 43 rotorcraft of this type are used in the country, along with 12 EC130s – which also are members of Airbus Helicopters’ popular Ecureuil family.
Airbus Helicopters’ presence at HeliRussia is the seventh time it has joined this annual event, with the 2014 edition marking the first since the company’s rebranding from Eurocopter. Under the new identity, and benefitting from the strength of its Airbus Group parent company, Airbus Helicopters Vostok retains the region’s market leadership by a broad margin, accounting for over 60 percent of the foreign-built rotorcraft delivered in Russia and the CIS – with more than 225 helicopters operating in the region.
“HeliRussia has become the industry gathering of choice to meet customers, discuss support operations, as well as to showcase new rotorcraft and technologies,” explained Laurence Rigolini, the general manager of Airbus Helicopters Vostok. “This is why we are an active supporter again in 2014, being the general sponsor of the region’s largest helicopter exhibition for the seventh time.”
Also at HeliRussia, Airbus Helicopters will be highlighting the upcoming introduction of its new EC175, which will enter service in 2014 with launch customers that include Russian operator UTair. Deliveries of this seven-ton-class medium rotorcraft will begin before year-end, with UTair introducing the EC175 on missions for the oil and gas industry, as well as deploying it for further market expansion. The major Russian heli-lift service provider has a total of 15 EC175s on order.
Another element of Airbus Helicopters Vostok’s presence at HeliRussia is a scale model display of the twin-engine EC135, which is well-suited to medical evacuation missions in Russia and the CIS – as well as utility duties, business transport and law enforcement missions.
Airbus Helicopters Vostok is at HeliRussia exhibit booth 1F at Moscow’s Crocus Expo IEC exposition center during the May 22-24 event.
