MOSCOW, May 13. /ITAR-TASS/. Representatives of over 200 companies are planning to attend an international helicopter industry exhibition, HeliRussia 2014, which will take place on May 22-24 in Moscow, Helicopter Industry Association Board Chairman Mikhail Kazachkov said on Tuesday.

The number of exhibition participants is growing, despite the complex political situation, he said. Only one company has refused to participate in the exhibition, he added.

“We continue to see the growing number of exhibitors, despite the complex political situation at present. We see growth both in the number of countries and the number of participants,” he said.

“Russia is a colossal, huge market. We have received a refusal only from one company, the American Helicopter Association, which decided against participation for strange reasons. The Sikorsky company has long been hesitant. It is more likely that it is hesitant not for political reasons but because they do not see a niche for themselves in this market segment,” Kazachkov said.

This year, the exhibition will feature a major project elaborated at the request of Russian Helicopter Systems to develop helicopter landing sites inside Moscow, he said.

“This development plan has been approved,” Kazachkov said.

The exhibition will feature over 20 full-scale helicopter models. This year, HeliRussia will span an area of 14,000 square meters, he said.