PIA takes delivery of its first ATR 42-500 aircraft

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) today took delivery of its first ATR 42-500 aircraft. This aircraft is the first to be delivered following the signature of a contract for seven new ATR 42-500s unveiled in November 2005 for a total value of US $100 million. The delivery ceremony took place in Toulouse in the presence of Syed Farooq H. Shah, Deputy Managing Director of PIA and Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR.

PIA, which is the Flag Carrier of Pakistan, will take delivery of two other aircraft in November and December 2006 and four more until May 2007.The aircraft will replace PIA’s aging F-27 aircraft fleet operated on socio-economic routes. Thanks to that delivery, ATR enters a new country.

Syed Farooq H. Shah stated: “This delivery represents an important step in our commitment to the people of Pakistan. We trust in the ATR aircraft and we expect to strength this relationship in the future”.

”I’m very happy to deliver the first ATR aircraft to PIA. I’m convinced that we will develop a long-lasting partnership with this new ATR customer,” said Filippo Bagnato. He added “PIA will benefit from a modern aircraft with unbeatable economics and the highest comfort in its class”.

The ATR 42-500 aircraft is equipped with a cabin specially designed by PIA and counts ten Economic Plus seats. The purchase transaction of seven turboprop aircraft from ATR shall further strengthen Pakistan’s economic ties with France and Italy in particular and with Europe in general for years to come.

Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 806 aircraft (399 ATR 42s and 407ATR 72s) and delivered 694 aircraft (384 ATR 42-500 and 310 ATR 72-500).

Founded in 1955, PIA operates 66 destinations (42 international and 24 domestic) with a total fleet of 41 aircraft, 7 of which are regional aircraft.

Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 70-seat turboprop market. In 2005, ATR posted a turnover of $542 million, an increase of 15% compared to 2004. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR is certified ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q 9001:2000 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100, the worldwide quality standard in the field of aeronautics.

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