UTair Express' predecessor Komiinteravia was established in March 1996 and started operations in July 1997.[2]
In 2004 UTair gained control of more than 70% of Komiinteravia.[3] UTair planned to set up a new regional division using its subsidiary Komiinteravia that was to operate as UTair Express using Antonov An-24 and ATR 42-300 aircraft. It planned to replace its Komiinteravia's An-24 fleet with additional ATR 42-300s over the next few years.[4]
UTair Express completed registration in December 2006 and emerged from the reorganization of Komiinteravia. The airline received a certificate in commercial air transport operations on Antonov An-24 aircraft. As soon as all of the An-24s have been decommissioned according to the airline's plan, UTair's air fleet will include up to 20 ATR 42 aircraft. UTair Express also embraces Russia's largest Tupolev Tu-134 maintenance center.[5]
On 10 June 2015, Russian authorities suspended the airline's operating license until further notice due to a request filed by UTair itself. The fleet and route network will be transferred to UTair Aviation until further notice as part of restructuring arrangements.[1]
Destinations
UTair Express operated scheduled flights to the following destinations as of April 2014:[6]