Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) will further thin its turboprop fleet this year by retiring seven leased ATR 72s, but the Delta Connection carrier's strategy is in limbo with a network planning review under way and 12 more ATR 72s to remain in service until 2007.
ASA is to return the first of seven ex-Air New Zealand ATR 72s to lessors in October. The aircraft are not configured like the other 12 ATRs, says ASA president Skip Barnette, and their disposal will cut maintenance and training costs.
ASA is to rotate its remaining ATR 72s and Bombardier CRJ200s and CRJ700s into the Atlanta-based short-haul markets that were served by the outgoing turboprops.
Source: Flight International
