Flight International Online news 09:00GMT: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is in talks to acquire four ATR 72s to supplement its recent order for seven smaller ATR 42s.
ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato told reporters at a press conference at the Langkawi air show in Malaysia: “At Pakistan Airlines we’re in discussion for four aircraft additional to the seven they have signed for.”
He says the ATR 42-500s will be delivered starting in May and be used by PIA as Fokker F27 replacements. He says PIA is interested in acquiring ATR 72s “for future traffic growth”.
Bagnato says PIA does not hold options for ATR 72s as part of its purchase of ATR 42s, which was finalised early last month. The proposed ATR 72 order would therefore require the signing of a new contract.
He says ATR also plans to finalise “within the next few days” an order from India’s Kingfisher Airlines for 20 ATR 72s. The deal, unveiled last month at the Dubai air show, will by paid for using “probably export credit financing”, Bagnato says.
BRENDAN SOBIE / LANKAWI
Source: Flight International
