From helicopters to full freighters
The Russian Helix Airlines, which has been operating charter flights only with helicopters since 1994, has acquired four Ilyushin Il-76s and wants to expand internationally with the new aircraft.
"We are preparing to enter the international air cargo market," chief executive Vadim Baldin tells the Kommersant newspaper. Because it owns aircraft registered in Russia, the carrier is subject to fewer sanctions, Baldin continues. In particular, Helix Airlines would be able to fly to China.
The four Il-76s of the company from Perm, Europe's easternmost city some 1,100 km from Moscow, used to belong to Alrosa Airlines, which said goodbye to its maindeck capacity last year. Two aircraft are already operational, and the other two are currently undergoing maintenance. (ah)