Airline Orders Seven New Turboprops, Five Options
Aero-News learned this week Brazilian airline TRIP Linhas
Aereas (Transportes Regionais do Interior Paulista
-- we'll stick with TRIP) has signed an agreement with ATR
for seven new ATR 72-500 aircraft, plus five options. The deal,
valued at $125 million, was inked last month.
The new ATR 72-500 turboprops will be equipped with the new
"Elegance Cabin" option, as well as the newest technological
innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid
tools.
TRIP has been an ATR operator for many years, but this is the
first time the airline has signed for new ATR aircraft. This new
order will allow the airline to increase its fleet size and
capacity to meet growing passenger demand and to progressively
renew its existing fleet, that currently includes six ATRs -- five
ATR 42-320s, and one ATR 72-200.
These ATR 72-500 will be delivered in a 68-seat
configuration.
"After a partnership of eight years, we are happy to receive
this confirmation of the confidence of TRIP in ATR for such an
important renewal of its fleet," said ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato.
"This deal represents a very important step forward to introduce
our '-500 series; aircraft in Brazil, a regional market where we
are already well established with a fleet of over 20 ATRs. With the
introduction of the latest generation of aircraft, we give both to
the airlines and to their passengers the highest standards of
service, performance, unbeatable economics and comfort with an
aircraft that is environment friendly."
TRIP CEO Jose Mario Caprioli Dos Santos added, "The ATR aircraft
are fully adapted to the needs and the characteristics of our
regional market. To update and renew our fleet with ATR's new
generation aircraft represents the optimal and logical choice in
our aim of giving to our passengers the highest standards of
service. In addition, with the choice of the ATR aircraft, we are
pleased to contribute to the preservation of the Brazilian
environment, with an aircraft that produces less harmful emissions
than other forms of transportation."
Since January 2006 ATR has booked orders for a total of 63 new
aircraft worldwide -- 153 since January 2005. ATR says that's proof
of the recovery of the turboprop market, and the success of its
products.
ATR has sold 837 new aircraft (401 ATR 42 and 436 ATR 72) since
the beginning of the program.