Air Madagascar orders 3 new-generation ATR aircraft, plus 2 options
Le Bourget, 15 June 2005
Air Madagascar, the national carrier of the Republic of Madagascar, has signed a contract for 2 new ATR 72-500 and 1 ATR 42-500 aircraft plus an option for 2 ATR-500 Series aircraft. This order was unveiled on the occasion of a press conference held today at the Paris Air Show. With this order, Air Madagascar will renew its current fleet of 3 ATR-42s with new generation models.
The 2 ATR 72-500 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in late 2005 and the ATR 42-500 aircraft in mid-2006.
Berend Bruns, Chief Executive Officer of Air Madagascar declared: “We are satisfied with the operation of the ATR aircraft from the very beginning. They are particularly well adapted to our needs since we operate on a very dense domestic network but with limited but growing traffic. With this new order, we will benefit from a fuel-efficient technology, maintaining our fleet up to date with the latest standards of comfort for our customers and capability to grow with the market.”
Equipped with the “Elegance” cabin, the 3 ATR-500 series aircraft will be delivered with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools.
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “Air Madagascar confirms, with this order, the suitability of ATR aircraft for short haul routes. It’s also a choice for maximum profitability: the ATR 72-500 aircraft have the lowest seat mile costs in its category and the high degree of commonality between the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft results in major cost savings and operational flexibility.»
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 739 aircraft (392 ATR 42s and 347 ATR 72s) and 51 from January 1st onwards.
Filippo Bagnato also added: ”With this order, plus other contracts to be announced during the Paris Air Show, ATR will log over 50 new aircraft sales in the first half of 2005. This commercial success is strong evidence of the important role that the turboprop aircraft continues to play in the regional aviation market.”
About Air Madagascar
Formed under the name of Madair, the Antananarivo-based airline changed its name to Air Madagascar in 1962. The airline operates an extensive domestic network and links the island of Madagascar to Europe, Asia and to African and other Indian Ocean island cities.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) is the world leader in the 50 to 70-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR is certified ISO 9001-2000 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100, the worldwide quality standard in the field of aeronautics.
Contact:
| Frédéric Lahache |
Tel.: 33 5 62 21 60 61 Fax: 33 5 62 21 68 00 www.atraircraft.com mailto: frederic.lahache@atr.fr |
