Brings Carrier's Fleet To 10 Planes

ATR announced this week the signing of a contract for the purchase of two ATR 72-500s to be operated by Thailand’s Bangkok Airways. The deal is valued at US $37 million, and was inked with Irish-based leasing company AIR Ltd (Aircraft International Renting), a subsidiary of TAT Group, which will lease the aircraft to the airline.

With these two aircraft, Bangkok Airways will bring its ATR 72-500 fleet up to 10 aircraft. Deliveries of these two additional aircraft are scheduled for late 2008 and 2009. The aircraft will be configured with 70 seats and will be used to increase the total capacity of the ATR fleet of the airline and thus face its increasing flight demand in Thailand and the surrounding region.

Bangkok Airways, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, started operating ATR aircraft in 1994 and ordered its first '-500 series' ATRs in 2000 and 2002. With the two aircraft announced this week, Bangkok Airways will become one of the largest ATR operators in South East Asia.

"We have been operating ATRs for many years because they offer us optimal results in terms of performance and economics," said Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, President and CEO of Bangkok Airway. "We are also pleased to count such a strong fleet of ‘-500’ ATRs, which are the most fuel-efficient and environment friendly aircraft of the regional aviation. The preservation and care of the environment is a major concern for us."

"It is an honor to receive, once again, the confidence of both Bangkok Airways and TAT Group," said Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO. "We will make sure to give an optimal support to the airline’s operations and to keep this partnership fruitful and successful in the coming years."

In 2007, ATR posted a record 113 orders for new aircraft. Since the beginning of the program, ATR has sold 953 aircraft (417 ATR 42s and 536 ATR 72s) and has delivered 763 (397 ATR 42s and 366 ATR 72s), resulting in a current backlog of 190 aircraft.

FMI: www.atraircraft.com, www.bangkokair.com