Danish Lessor Continues To Expand Its Regional Aircraft Fleet

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), which claims to be the largest regional aircraft trading and leasing company with the world's biggest ATR fleet, has signed a total order for 75 ATR 42-600 aircraft, in a deal valued at over US$1.55 billion. Deliveries will commence in 2015 through to 2020.

By confirming this order for new ATR 42-600s - which includes 25 firm orders and 50 options for the type - NAC is once again demonstrating its full confidence in ATR – and this time, the smaller 50-seater ATR 42-600 series, in response to operator demand and recognizing that the replacement market for sub 50-seat turboprops is very under-served. The order builds on NAC's long relationship with ATR and its ongoing success with regional airline operators worldwide.

With this new order, totaling 75 aircraft, signed at a special ceremony at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow, NAC solidifies its position as ATR's largest customer.

This landmark ATR order comes just one year after NAC signed an order for up to 90 ATR aircraft, a contract worth a total $2.1 billion at the Paris Air Show. This was followed by an add on order worth a total of $ 820 million of up to 35 ATR 600 series aircraft, announced during the ERA General Assembly in October 2013.  Taking all NAC's commitments (firm and options) into account the figure now rises to well over 200 new aircraft, as this major European lessor continues to  expand its fleet to meet the need for short-haul turboprops, servicing the world's growing regional aircraft fleet.

“The ATR-600 series aircraft is firmly established as a long-term cornerstone of NAC's portfolio of modern, fuel efficient regional aircraft," said Martin Moller, Chairman of NAC. "Now we are seeing a renaissance for the ATR 42 too with the state of the art -600 Series as operators seek a replacement for their ageing sub 50-seat fleets.  We are duly pleased to be the first leasing company to sign a significant order for the ATR 42-600. The ATRs allow us to offer our customers a significant reduction in fuel consumption and one of the most comfortable cabins in its class, through our tailored leasing solutions."

“Today at the Farnborough Airshow, where ATR and NAC finalized a contract covering 75 new ATR-600s, we have confirmed once again the growing trend for our customers to have a balance between purchasing and leasing their ATR aircraft and that the ATR represents a solid investment for the leasing companies," said Patrick de Castelbajac, ATR's Chief Executive Officer. "The ATR-600 series aircraft is unrivalled in terms of its economic performance and product offering, and the aircraft's family of 50 and 70 seat capacity is the best solution to respond to the regional market requirements around the world.”

(Image from file)

FMI: www.nac.dk