By Mike Martin
ATR has won twin orders for a total of 13 new ATR 72-500 aircraft to be operated by Indian carrier Jet Airways, it was announced at the show yesterday.
The combined $238 million orders are comprises six aircraft for Irish leasing firm AIR destined for Jet Airways and a further seven purchased directly by the airline.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2007 and will continue through to 2010. Already equipped with a fleet of eight ATR 72-500s, the additional aircraft will enable Jet Airways to open new routes and increase frequencies across the Indian subcontinent.
Important role
Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways, says: “From the beginning of our ATR operations in 1999, the fleet of leased ATR 72-500s has proved itself and has played an important role in the growth of our airline’s regional domestic operations and the expansion of our internal routes.”
ATR has secured a huge slice of the Indian turboprop market, according to chief executive Stephane Mayer. “Our success in India, with almost a 100% turboprop market share, is related to the successful and proven performance of our aircraft. Also, it is related to the flexibility of the aircraft that allows operation to all types of airports. Thus, the ATR aircraft are playing a main role in the economic and human development of several Indian regions.”
Canary Islands-based operator Islas Airways yesterday announced it is taking two further options for ATR 72-500s in addition to the six orders of the type it agreed in March.
Source: Flight Daily News
