UTair takes delivery of first ATR 72-500

The Russian air carrier UTair has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft, which is also the first one of this type to be operating in Russia. UTair and ATR recently announced an order for 20 aircraft, estimated at $ 426 million. The remaining ATR 72-500 aircraft will be delivered in 2011 and 2012. The delivery of these new 70-seater aircraft will bring the number of ATR aircraft operated by UTair up to 37, making UTair the largest operator of ATR aircraft in Europe.