Binter Canarias orders an additional ATR 72-500
Gothenburg, 13 October 2005
The Spanish carrier Binter Canarias has signed a contract for 1 new ATR 72-500 aircraft. This order was unveiled today on the occasion of a joint press conference between ATR and the airline at the European Regions Airlines Association General Assembly, Gothenburg (Sweden). With this order, Binter Canarias will replace its ATR 72-210 model with a new-generation aircraft.
This additional aircraft is a continuation of the airline’s fleet renewal process that was started last year. On the medium term, there is further potential for the company to acquire up to 5 more ATR 72-500s as the opportunities for growth are developing.
Andreas Blass, Chief Executive Officer of Binter Canarias declared: “The ATR has proven to be a fuel-efficient and reliable aircraft in our high frequency and low-fare environment. Our passengers appreciate its high level of comfort and modern cabin.»
The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered mid-2006. Equipped with the new “Elegance” cabin, the 72-seat ATR 72-500 aircraft will be delivered with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools: Aircraft Communication Addressing & Reporting System (ACARS) and Multi-Purpose Computer (MPC).
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, stated: “I’m delighted with this new order from Binter Canarias, who has become a reference amongst our customers with its fleet based on the ATR product. In January 2004, Binter Canarias already ordered 6 new ATR 72-500 aircraft now delivered. This additional order demonstrates Binter’s confidence in the ATR family.»
Filippo Bagnato also added: ”From the beginning of the year 2005, ATR logged over 60 new aircraft sales. This commercial success is evidence of the strong resurgence of the turboprop aircraft in the regional aviation market.”
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 751 aircraft (391 ATR 42s and 360 ATR 72s) and 63 from January 1st onwards.
The ATR 72-500: New Generation aircraft
The ATR 72-500 is the latest development of the ATR 72 with a proven average dispatch reliability of more than 99.6%. This version shares the same power-plant, six-bladed propellers, the same interior design and soundproofing techniques of the ATR 42-500, thus offering the same excellent comfort and passenger appeal. Its standard capacity is of 68 seats. The ATR 72-500 has the lowest seat mile costs, recognised as a benchmark for the regional market. The increased power and aerodynamic refinements provide excellent take-off and landing performance.
The maximum take-off weight (MTOW) was increased by 300 kg, from 22,500 to 22,800 kg, end of 2004.
All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to future Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations, effective 1st January 2006. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low outside noise levels. Low fuel burn and gaseous emissions contribute to make the ATR environment friendly.
About Binter Canarias
Created in March 1988, Binter Canarias started operating its first ATR in 1989 on the Canarian inter-island network. With a current fleet of 13 ATR 72s, the Spanish airline’s annual traffic accounts for close to 3 million passengers, performing over 50,000 flights per year.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer 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 ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q 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 |
