Airline Orders Seven New Turboprops, Five Options

Aero-News learned this week Brazilian airline TRIP Linhas Aereas (Transportes Regionais do Interior Paulista --  we'll stick with TRIP) has signed an agreement with ATR for seven new ATR 72-500 aircraft, plus five options. The deal, valued at $125 million, was inked last month.

The new ATR 72-500 turboprops will be equipped with the new "Elegance Cabin" option, as well as the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools.

TRIP has been an ATR operator for many years, but this is the first time the airline has signed for new ATR aircraft. This new order will allow the airline to increase its fleet size and capacity to meet growing passenger demand and to progressively renew its existing fleet, that currently includes six ATRs -- five ATR 42-320s, and one ATR 72-200.

These ATR 72-500 will be delivered in a 68-seat configuration.

"After a partnership of eight years, we are happy to receive this confirmation of the confidence of TRIP in ATR for such an important renewal of its fleet," said ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato. "This deal represents a very important step forward to introduce our '-500 series; aircraft in Brazil, a regional market where we are already well established with a fleet of over 20 ATRs. With the introduction of the latest generation of aircraft, we give both to the airlines and to their passengers the highest standards of service, performance, unbeatable economics and comfort with an aircraft that is environment friendly."

TRIP CEO Jose Mario Caprioli Dos Santos added, "The ATR aircraft are fully adapted to the needs and the characteristics of our regional market. To update and renew our fleet with ATR's new generation aircraft represents the optimal and logical choice in our aim of giving to our passengers the highest standards of service. In addition, with the choice of the ATR aircraft, we are pleased to contribute to the preservation of the Brazilian environment, with an aircraft that produces less harmful emissions than other forms of transportation."

Since January 2006 ATR has booked orders for a total of 63 new aircraft worldwide -- 153 since January 2005. ATR says that's proof of the recovery of the turboprop market, and the success of its products.

ATR has sold 837 new aircraft (401 ATR 42 and 436 ATR 72) since the beginning of the program.

FMI: www.atraircraft.com