December 20, 2006
Three helicopters from the Eurocopter range the EC120 Colibri, the AS350 B3 Ecureuil and the EC130 B4 have just been certified by the Russian Authorities. These civil helicopters are now authorized by the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) to operate over Russian territory. They are following in the footsteps of the EC145, certified in Russia in late 2005, and the BO105, AS355 N and AS350 B2 Ecureuils, BK117, AS332 L1 and L2 Super Pumas, certified in Russia in the 1990s.
Jérôme Noulens, the CEO of Eurocopter Vostok, emphasized: "In Russia, this certification campaign is unique in its kind: it answers the growing needs of our customers for the very latest helicopters in our product range, especially in the corporate sector which is thriving."
Eurocopter has just clinched its first sale of the EC135 and EC145 in VIP configuration to private Russian customers. The helicopters are due to be delivered in the spring of 2007. These sales reflect the current upsurge in the Russian VIP/corporate market for modern aircraft whereas previously the demand was mainly for pre-owned machines.
Eurocopter has been doing business in Russia for a dozen years, and the company inaugurated its Russian subsidiary known as Eurocopter Vostok in April 2006. The company signed a contract with GazProm Avia to set up an initial maintenance center in Moscow. The center is scheduled to be up and running in the first months of 2007. Two more maintenance centers will be set up by 2009. As the West's leading helicopter manufacturer in Russia with a fleet of about 40 helicopters, Eurocopter wants to offer its customers the most comprehensive and most efficient range of services possible.
About Eurocopter
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.