East Siberian operator Polar Airlines has signed a comprehensive service contract with Helicopter Service Company (HSC), a Russian Helicopters subsidiary, for Ansat helicopters.

The contract is the first one signed in the new Russian Helicopters support format of after-sales services provided by HSC. The format provides a package of services in accordance with the specific requirements of the customer, the specifics of its air fleet and operating conditions.

“This is a very important document for us,” notes the head of the operator Semyon Vinokurov. “It will make it possible to form a warehouse of spare parts, provide access to the return-exchange fund of components and assemblies, and will allow high-quality maintenance and repair of the helicopter. The aircraft will be operated by our air ambulance and passenger services.”

“Last year, during the MAKS air show, we signed a supply contract with Polar Airlines for seven Ansat helicopters. Today's agreement is a logical continuation of this cooperation. The service contract will allow us to quickly resolve issues arising during operation and ensure constant readiness, efficiency and regularity of flights for rescue operations,” adds director general of Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginsky.

MD of HSC Ivan Serov confirms: “The main task of our helicopter maintenance services is to maximise customer satisfaction, optimising their financial and operational efficiency, increase helicopter performance and minimise their downtime. Since the Ansat helicopters will be used for air medical services, we have offered our partners an adapted after-sales service scheme with rates based on their flight hours and increase in the real flight readiness of helicopters.”

During the MAKS-2019 air show, Russian Helicopters and Polar Airlines concluded a contract for the supply of seven modernised Ansat helicopters starting from 2021. The helicopters will be adapted for operation in Russia's far north; based on the recommendations of Polar Airlines, Russian Helicopters developed the new design of the helicopter, which allows it to be kept outside a hangar, offers a longer flight range through additional fuel tanks and includes an ice protection system and the possibility of performing instrument flights.