Regional carrier Silver Airways has become the first US airline to fly the ATR 72-600 aircraft as it continues to upgrade its fleet, the company says in a statement on 25 November.
Regional carrier Silver Airways has become the first US airline to fly the ATR 72-600 aircraft as it continues to upgrade its fleet, the company says in a statement on 25 November.
The Fort-Lauderdale-based regional carrier says the first flight with the 70-seat turboprop took place on 23 November, from Tampa to Pensacola in Florida. The aircraft will initially be used to connect destinations in Florida and the Bahamas before entering service to Caribbean markets in 2020, the airline adds.
Silver Airways ATR 72-600
ATR
“This is an exciting time for Silver Airways and regional airline flying as we continue our fleet transformation and focus on providing the highest level of safe, reliable and customer-focused service,” Silver Airways chief executive Steve Rossum says. “The ATR 42-600 has been well received and highly praised by our customers and team members this year, and we’re looking forward to even further expanding our world-class service with extended reach in the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean with the new larger ATR 72-600.”
Silver had started flying the smaller ATR 42-600 aircraft in April of this year.
Silver Airways ATR 72-600
ATR
To date, Silver Airways has taken delivery of its first seven of up to 50 ATR-600s, including six ATR 42-600s and one ATR 72-600 as it replaces its fleet of 20 Saab 340 turboprops. Future ATR-600 deliveries will be comprised of both ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s, the airline says. The aircraft are configured in a 2-2 layout with up to a 32in pitch in a bid to offer regional flights with more cabin space and legroom than some older generation regional aircraft.
Earlier this month, Silver Airways announced codeshare agreements with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
