Super Puma will get Russian certification soon

Airbus Helicopters is planning to get Russian type certificate for its 11-ton transport helicopter H225 Super Puma in the nearest future. The helicopter was known as EC225. Mickael Melaye, Director of operational marketing commented on that for Bizavnews : " We are on the final stage of the certification process, we hope to get long-awaited testimony in September". There are already preliminary negotiations with potential buyers of the H225 Super Puma. First deal could be announced by the end of this year or early next year.

Marketers are estimating the capacity of Russian market for H225 at about 50-60 helicopters in the medium term. Possible market share for European manufacturer is between 25-30%. This is only about the offshore version of Super Puma. Other configurations, as HEMS, fire version and VIP, don't have such "strong" position for Russian market. There are already several H225 VIP helicopters passed to number of post-Soviet countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, mostly for Heads of State use.

The participation of H225 at the MAKS is a debut. During this visit to Russia, H225 will be shown in Moscow and St. Petersburg. For the demonstrator in Russia, the manufacturer selected the board of the French company Heli Union.

Airbus Helicopters representative told, today about 70% of Super Puma helicopters worldwide are used in oil and gas industry, including the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, Africa, Asia and South America. The total coating of these helicopters is more than five million hours worldwide in any weather conditions - including over the sea.