ATR book orders for 42 aircraft in first half 2010, 72 including options
Lao Airlines (Laos): 2 ATR 72-500s Golden Air (Sweden): 2 ATR 72-500s Syrian Airlines: 2 ATR 72-500s Undisclosed orders: 20 ATR 72-600s (+ 20 options) 10 ATR 72-600s (+ 10 options) 6 ATR 72-500s
Tweet-- On the occasion of a press conference held today at the Farnborough Air Show, Filippo Bagnato, ATR Chief Executive Officer, announced orders for 42 new aircraft (72 including options) in the first semester of the year.
2010 FIRST SEMESTER ORDERS:
Lao Airlines (Laos): 2 ATR 72-500s
Golden Air (Sweden): 2 ATR 72-500s
Syrian Airlines: 2 ATR 72-500s
Undisclosed orders:
20 ATR 72-600s (+ 20 options)
10 ATR 72-600s (+ 10 options)
6 ATR 72-500s
Commenting on the first semester orders, Bagnato stated: "While consolidating our presence worldwide by getting the renewal of confidence from our existing customers, we are continuing to expand our client portfolio with new operators. Our wide array of operators are seeing the benefits from the superior performance and low operating costs of our aircraft and the advantages of our strong support network around the world. Today, we have already 155 operators in more than 80 countries".
ATR has delivered 26 new aircraft in the first half of the year.
"Both positive results in terms of orders and deliveries underline the good health of ATR", stated Bagnato.ATR's backlog at June 30 is 152 aircraft, which represents more than two years of production.
He underlined also recent figures of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showing some positive signs of recovery in the aviation industry: passenger traffic grew 11.7% from May 2009 to May 2010, being today 1% above pre-recession levels.
Bagnato also highlighted the evolution of turboprops in regional market forecasts: "Ten years ago, turboprop represented only 15% of the deliveries in 20-year forecasts for regional aircraft. Today, turboprops represent 40%. We know that the reasons of the turboprop success are here for the long term. Our aim is to continuously propose a product optimally matching the needs of the regional carriers."
ATR -600 series development status:
Flight tests campaigns:
50-seat ATR 42-600 started its flight test campaign in March 2010. Both ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 are currently under flight test trials. Entry into service of the first ATR '-600s' is due in 2011.
ARMONIA: the new ATR -600 series' cabin:
Bagnato highlighted also the development of ARMONIA, the new ATR '-600 series' cabin, jointly developed with Italian house Giugiaro Design. "With the new wider seats that offer greater leg room, and LED lightening of the cabin, passengers will discover the most modern atmosphere of comfort. In addition, the new overhead bins featured in ARMONIA, will enable 30% more passengers to store their standard roller bags overhead. We have also developed, as an option, a first class, 3 seats abreast seating configuration. Also optionally, we can offer a jetway capable forward passenger door. We are convinced that all these enhancements will further expand the appeal of the ATR '-600s' for the regional airlines".
Customer Support activities:
Further expansion of the ATR training facilities:
ATR is currently expanding its customer service network with the opening in the coming weeks of new training facilities in Toronto, by setting up a Full Flight Simulator (FFS). New training facilities will also be set up in Bangalore and Paris before the end of the year. ATR is also preparing the opening, in 2011, of its first training center in Africa, based in Johannesburg.
Preparing entry into service of the ATR '600s'
In order to prepare the entry into service of the new ATR '-600s', ATR has recently inked deals with CAE and Mechtronix for the purchase of the two first ATR '-600 series' simulators, to be set up in the Aircraft Training Center (ATC) of Toulouse. CAE will provide a Full Flight Simulator (FFS); Mechtronix a Full Flight Trainer X (FFTX). Training activities on the '-600 series' are due to start in the first semester 2011.
ATRactive: a new e-tool for the ATR community: In 2010 ATR has launched ATRactive, its new, dedicated, one-stop customer services portal for the whole ATR community (including operators, lessors, suppliers, distributors and partners), available at https://www.atractive.com. A true one-stop and user-friendly new portal, ATRactive lets users do much more, much faster - from addressing questions to specific support department, booking simulator sessions and get information on training courses, to ordering spare parts or aircraft technical documentation
Notes to Editor
About ATR
Formed in 1981, ATR has grown to become the world's leading manufacturer of advanced 50 to 74 seat regional turboprop aircraft.
ATR is a joint venture and equal partnership between major European aerospace companies Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS.
ATR's headquarters are in Toulouse, southern France. In 2009 the company generated a record turnover of US$1.4 billion (€1.1 billion).
ATR has sold more than 1,000 ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft, which are used by over 150 operators in 80 countries. These have accumulated a total of around 18 million cycles.
ATR is certified to ISO 14001, the worldwide standard for environmental management and sustainability.