Five Firm Orders, Two Options Worth $132 Million

European turboprop manufacturer ATR and Russia's NordStar Airlines have agreed the purchase of up to 7 ATR 42-600s , made up of 5 firm aircraft orders and 2 options. The total value of all these airplanes is estimated at approximately $132 million. ATR and NordStar had previously unveiled in September 2011 an order for 2 firm ATR 42-600s plus 2 options, which has now been increased with the 3 additional firm aircraft. This follows an order in 2010 for 4 firm 42-500s plus 3 options.

NordStar Airlines will become the first operator of new ATR '-600 series' aircraft in the Russian Federation. NordStar already operates 4 ATR 42-500. With the introduction of the 5 firm ATR 42-600s, NordStar will bring to 9 aircraft its brand new fleet of ATRs.

"We have been operating 4 new ATR 42-500s since May 2011 and the aircraft have fully met our expectations in the difficult operating environment of Krasnoyarsk Region and Russia's Far North," said Kirrill Buryy, General Director of NordStar Airlines. "With the arrival of the new ATR 42-600s, we will further expand our travel offer, with new routes and additional frequencies within the Krasnoyarsk region."

"The renewal of the confidence of NordStar, one of the fastest growing airlines in Russia, after only a few months operating ATRs," said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "We are pleased to introduce the new ATR -600s in Russia, which is a very dynamic market with a huge potential for the expansion of regional aviation with the most modern turboprops."

FMI: www.atraircraft.com