ATR and Air Vanuatu Sign Contract For One ATR 72-500

On the occasion of the Singapore Airshow, ATR and Air Vanuatu announced today the signature of the contract for the purchase of the first ATR 72-500 for the airline. This contract signature follows the MoU already announced late in 2007.

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 contract, Hollingsworth Ngwele, Air Vanuatu CEO, stated: “Following the successful service of our ATR 42-300, the purchase of this ATR 72-500 will allow us to increase the capacity of our fleet and to face the growth of the demand. Because of its economics, performance, comfort and ETOPS 120 minutes, the ‘-500 series’ ATRs are the optimal aircraft for the development of 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 honored with the renewal of the confidence of Air Vanuatu, while pleased to introduce the ‘–500 series’ in a new country of the South Pacific, which represents a key market of the ATR success”.

ATR reached in 2007 a record year with orders for 113 new aircraft. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 953 aircraft (417 ATR 42s and 536 ATR 72s) and has delivered 757 (397 ATR 42s and 360 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 196 aircraft.

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.

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.

Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. In 2007 ATR posted a turnover of 1.1 US$ billion, an increase of 57% compared to 2006. 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.

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