ATR yesterday signed operating lease contracts with Air Deccan of India and Airlinair of France for eight used ATR 42-500s aircraft.
Three aircraft will go to Air Deccan, bringing its fleet of ATR 42-500s to 10 by September.
That number will increase to 12 come October, when it plans to add a further two examples to the fleet.
Air Deccan is one of the fastest growing airlines in India, having started operations in 2003 with a fleet of four ATR 42-320s.
"The airliner is one of our key customers in a region that has seen steady growth in passenger numbers and new airlines in the last few years," said John Moore, senior vice-president, commercial. "Our product is well adapted to the Indian environment as it works well in high temperatures and on short runways."
Partnership
The five aircraft bound for France will operate on Airlinair's own services and also for Air France in partnership with its subsidiaries Brit Air and R‚gional. Airlinair operates the most ATRs in France - 20 - and ranks second in Europe.
The total number of second-hand aircraft placed in 2004 amounts to 31, going to 11 airlines.
Source: Flight Daily News
