Will Bring The African Airlines' ATR-72 Fleet To 12

ATR and the Algerian national airline Air Algérie announced Monday they have entered into a contract for the purchase of 4 ATR 72-500s by the African airline. This agreement, which is valued at some $82 million, was inked in Algiers in the presence of Mr. Amar Tou, Algeria's Minister of Transportation. Deliveries of the aircraft will take place in 2010. 

These 4 ATR 72-500s, configured with 66 seats, will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney 127M engines as well as the latest avionics and communications equipment.

With these new aircraft, Air Algérie, whose fleet already includes 8 ATR 72-500s, says it will be able to increasing its the number of flights offered, as well as opening new domestic and international routes.

The agreement also includes the establishment of a training center for Air Algérie, and ATR will assist in the installation, start-up and operation of a new flight simulator.

Abdelwahid Bouabdallah, President and Managing Director of Air Algérie, said, "Air Algérie has operated ATRs since 2003, and is satisfied. The 4 additional ATRs reinforce the uniformity of our fleet dedicated to the domestic network. Thanks to these new aircraft we consolidate our position amongst the most modern airlines on the continent, with one of the youngest fleets.  The ATRs allow us to open up regions not able to receive our other types of aircraft."

"We are very happy to receive the renewal of the confidence of Air Algérie, a highly respected company that we are proud to count amongst our operators", said Stéphane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "This renewed confidence shows the point to which ATRs are perfectly adapted to Air Algérie's requirements for getting an optimal operation of its domestic and regional network. Thanks to the low cost per seat and of maintenance, ATRs remain the best placed aircraft to enable airlines to operate the most profitably".

FMI: www.atr.fr