Manufacturer Has Also Taken Options For 112 Additional Aircraft

At the Farnborough Airshow, the turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR Monday  morning announced that it has taken firm orders for 144 aircraft (119 ATR 72-600 and 25 ATR 42-600), with options for 112 additional aircraft, since the beginning of the year. This year's contracts, of which many will be revealed during the week of the show, represent a total value of over $3.45 billion ($6 billion including options).

These sales represent 150% compared to the total sales for the year 2013. They will allow ATR to further strengthen its leading position on the market for regional aviation, and thus confirm the predominance of turboprop aircraft, and particularly those of ATR, over short distances.

The company says sales for the first half of the year highlight the appeal of the ATR '-600's for regional companies and the leasing company community, attracted by the economic and environmental performance of the aircraft, their technical reliability and their high standard of comfort. This year, the ATR '-600's have also passed the symbolic mark of 500 firm orders since their launch at the end of 2007.

ATR's backlog currently stands at 325 aircraft to be delivered in the coming years, a new record, representing a value of US$8 billion. On the back of this sales performance in the first half the year, ATR has increased its end of 2013 backlog by around 45%, seeing production ensured for almost 4 years.

Patrick de Castelbajac, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said he was "very satisfied with ATR's performance over the first six months of 2014, which confirms the strong demand from regional operators for ATR aircraft. Among the contracts signed this year, we have new customers, but also several orders from existing customers satisfied with the operational performances of our aircraft.

"Over the last two years we have increased our production capacity by almost 40%, an unequaled growth in the industry," he said. "This, in order to meet the increasing market demand for our aircraft. We must continue to increase our production rates and to develop our range of products in order to reinforce our leadership."

ATR, which currently has over 180 operators, 50% more than ten years ago, plans to expand its production to reach a new record, with more than 80 aircraft delivered by the end of the year. Based on the principle of continuous improvement, the aircraft manufacturer is continuing with the development of new navigation tools with the aim of anticipating the future needs of its operators. In addition, ATR will continue to expand its range of support services for its clients with the opening of a new pilot training center in Bangkok before the end of the year.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.atraircraft.com