First Deliveries Set For October 2011

Trinidad and Tobago's flag carrier Caribbean Airlines has officially signed a contract for the purchase of 9 ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at some $200 million, according to a news release from the European turboprop manufacturer. The signature of this deal, which follows a Memorandum of Understanding announced in 2010, will enable the airline to become a new ATR operator. First deliveries will start in October 2011. 

File Photo

The aircraft are configured with 68 seats and equipped with the new ATR -600 series avionics suite and with the new Armonia Cabin, which features new lighter seats and larger overhead bins offering best-in-class in terms of comfort.

With its fleet of brand new ATR 72-600s, Caribbean Airlines will replace its current fleet of 5 Dash-8 300 aircraft in its domestic routes, and add new frequencies linking Trinidad and Tobago and surrounding destinations. In addition, some of the new ATRs will be operated in the route network of Air Jamaica, -recently acquired by Caribbean Airlines.

ATR has today more than 160 aircraft in operation and on order with nearly 30 airlines in the Caribbean and Latin American region.

FMI: www.atraircraft.com