ATR and Air Vanuatu Sign For One ATR 72-500
Toulouse, 03 December 2007
ATR and Air Vanuatu today announced the signature of a contract for the purchase of the first ATR 72-500 for the airline.
This 70-seat aircraft will be equipped with 120-minutes ETOPS (Extended Range Twin-engine Operations) capability, the “Elegance” cabin, higher rated PW 127M engines, as well as state-of-the-art technological innovations in passenger comfort, communications and navigation aid tools. The aircraft will be delivered in 2009.
Since 2004, the airline has operated an ATR 42-300 for its principal domestic routes, linking the capital city Port Vila to the islands of Santo and Tanna, as well as regular flights to Nouméa, New Caledonia. With its new ATR 72-500, Air Vanuatu will be able to face the increasing demand on its regional network. Furthermore, the unique ETOPS 120 capability offered with the ATR 72-500 will enable Air Vanuatu to develop its international network with flights to the surrounding Islands such as Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
Commenting on the deal, Terry Kerr, Air Vanuatu CEO, stated: “We are very satisfied with the service given by our ATR 42-300. Now, the time has come to meet our growth by adding an ATR 72-500, featuring larger capacity and enhanced comfort and performance both in our domestic and international operations.”
Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO, declared: “The ETOPS 120-rated ATRs enable the airlines to expand their networks while reducing the length of the flights, the fuel burn and the CO2 emissions. We are extremely pleased that Air Vanuatu thus renewed their confidence in our company and product. The airline is now joining the growing community of ATR –500 operators in the South Pacific area, which already includes Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti, Air Calédonie, Air Pacific and MacAir Airlines in Australia”.
Since the beginning of the year, ATR has received orders for 88 new aircraft, some of them not yet unveiled. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 925 aircraft (414 ATR 42s and 511 ATR 72s) and has delivered 746 (396 ATR 42s and 350 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 179 aircraft.
The ‘-500 series’ ATRs:
With its ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, ATR supplies state-of-the-art aircraft with jet-like comfort. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low noise levels. Low fuel burn and gaseous emissions contribute to make the ATR the “Green Player” of the regional market. All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations, effective 1st January 2006.
About Air Vanuatu
Air Vanuatu is the nationally owned flag carrier of Vanuatu. It was formed in December 1987 and operates both Internationally to and from Vanuatu, and Domestically within Vanuatu.
Domestic and Regional growth has necessitated the need for a larger turboprop to allow the Airline to grow and prosper.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. ATR forecasts revenues of around US$1 Billion in 2007, representing two successive years of 30% increase in turnover. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR is certified NF EN ISO 9001:2000 and AS 9100 revision B:2004 / JIS Q 9100:2004 / EN 9100:2003, the worldwide quality standard in the field of aeronautics.
Contact
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Tel.: +33 5 62 21 60 61 www.atr.fr mailto: presse@atr.fr |
