UTair Aviakompaniya OAO (ADR) : UTair-Cargo launches operations in North pole

UTair Aviation subsidiary UTair-Cargo has launched flights to the Barneo sequential ice base and scientific encampment near the North Pole as part of UTair Aviation's annual program for Arctic development. On demand flights are operated within the contract agreement with the Expedition Center under the auspices of the Russian Geographic Society.

Transport operations for research personnel, tourists and cargo are performed with modernized An-74 TK-100 aircraft from Svalbard Airport, Longyear near the town of Longyearbyen, Norway. The program was launched in the end of March and will be held till the end of April.

Flights to the North Pole are operated by a specialized UTair crew trained in high latitude flight operations and experienced in making flights to ice flow locations in the Arctic region.

UTair-Cargohas been in operation since 1997 and today manages a fleet of 52 cargo aircraft, including Antonov An-74, An-26 and