ATR has landed orders for 11 aircraft and eight options in two separate deals valued at more than $300million, it was announced at the show yesterday.
Finnish Commuter Airlines (Finncomm) ordered eight ATR 42-500 aircraft with options on another eight in a deal valued at more than $250 million.
Meanwhile, Air Caledonie ordered two ATR 42-500s and one ATR 72-500.
The combined sales takes the total of new aircraft sold by ATR in the first six months of this year to more than 50.
Finncomm becomes a new customer for ATR. The aircraft will be used to replace Saab 340s, and the options will be exercised to meet expected traffic growth.
The eight firm aircraft are scheduled for delivery between late 2005 and the end of 2007. The options, if exercised, will be delivered up to 2009.
The aircraft will be delivered with the new "Elegance" cabin.
Juhani Pakari, managing director of Finncomm Airlines, says: "ATR is a key player on the regional air transport market and we consider that the ATR 42-500s are particularly well-adapted to our network. Indeed, these aircraft are the best combination of fuel-efficient technology and high level of comfort."
The Air Caledonie order will see aircraft delivered between 2006 and 2007.
Nidoish Naisseline, president and chief executive of Air Caledonie, said at the show yesterday: "We have chosen ATR for the high quality standard, reliability, low operating costs and high degree of commonality between the ATR 42 and the ATR 72 aircraft."
Source: Flight Daily News
