Has Signed Firm Orders For 145 Aircraft, Plus 72 Options, Since The Beginning Of The Year

Officials for European regional turboprop maker ATR say 2011 has been a record year for sales, with 145 firm aircraft orders and an additional 72 options since the beginning of the year. The value of these orders is estimated at 3.2 billion dollars (4.8 billion including the options). The previous record was in pre-recession 2007, with 113 firm orders and 26 options.

These 145 firm orders represent over 80% of all regional aircraft sales (from 50 to 90-seats) since the beginning of the year. ATR has registered 34% of these orders with six new customers.

At the same time, these 145 airplanes have enabled ATR to reach a new record for its order book, which has grown to 275 aircraft and is valued at 6.2 billion dollars. This backlog represents nearly 4 years of production. It also represents 68% of the total backlog of 50 to 90-seat regional aircraft, thereby confirming the renewed interest in turboprop technology. 

The figures were unveiled Thursday morning by the Chief Executive Officer of ATR, Filippo Bagnato, at a news conference held in Rome, during the General Assembly of the European Regions Airline Association. “This sales record, and the year is not yet over, once again underlines the relevance of our product to meet the requirements of regional transport, which continues to expand worldwide," he said. "In terms of savings, ecology, performance and comfort, ATR aircraft, and the newest -600 series in particular, have become the benchmark for regional airlines worldwide. ATR aircraft enable regional airlines to come out ahead thanks to their low operating costs.”

ATR 72-600 File Photo

Along with the sales record, ATR announced several orders at the meeting. U.S.-based aircraft lessor Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has ordered 2 new ATR 72-600 regional turboprop aircraft. In 2010, ALC had taken positions for 10 ATR 72-600s, plus options for 10 additional aircraft. The contract announced Thusday is the conversion of two of these ten options. The two aircraft are valued at a list price of US$ 45 million. Deliveries of these two ATR 72-600s to ALC will occur in the spring of 2013.

And Danish regional aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) signed a contract Thursday for the purchase of 10 ATR 72-600s and 2 ATR 72-500s, plus options for 10 additional ATR 72-600s. The total amount of the deal, including options, is valued at $ 500 million. The 10 firm ATR 72-600s and the options had been previously inked, as Heads of Agreement, by both companies at the Paris Air Show last June, and now confirmed by the final contract signature. With the additional 2 ATR 72-500s unveiled today, NAC will bring to 103 the total fleet of ATRs in its portfolio. Deliveries of these two ATR 72-500s are scheduled before the end of the year. NAC will start receiving its ATR 72-600s next year. 

Privately-owned NAC is the world’s largest turboprop leasing company. It currently has a portfolio of some 170 aircraft, including their 12 ATRs on order. NAC introduced ATR aircraft into its fleet in 2003, with the purchase of an ATR 42.

FMI: www.atr.com