Air Caledonie is about to order 3 ATR 500-series aircraft
Le Bourget, 13 June 2005
The carrier Air Caledonie has selected the new-generation ATR aircraft to renew its fleet, in the frame of its restructuring programme. The intention for a mix of 3 new ATR 42-500/ATR 72-500 aircraft was unveiled on the occasion of a press conference held today at the Paris Air Show.
Nidoïsh Naisseline, President and CEO of Air Caledonie declared: “We have chosen ATR for the high quality standard, reliability, low operating costs and high degree of commonality between the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. By adding also the ATR 72-500s to our fleet, we will increase the capacity on feeder routes and have better flexibility to satisfy our increase in passenger and freight traffic, on specific routes.»
The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2006 and 2007. Equipped with the new “Elegance” cabin, the aircraft will be delivered with the Multi-Purpose Computer (MPC), the newest technological innovations in the field navigation aid tools.
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, stated: “I’m delighted with this new intention from Air Caledonie. These aircraft are a key-element for the development of Air Caledonie’s regional network, since they are well adapted to “ island hopping”.”
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 730 aircraft (391 ATR 42s and 339 ATR 72s) and 42 from January 1st onwards.
Filippo Bagnato also added: ”With this intention, plus other contracts to be announced during the Paris Air Show, ATR will log over 50 new aircraft sales in the first half of 2005. This commercial success is strong evidence of the important role that the turboprop aircraft continues to play in the regional aviation market.”
About Air Caledonie
Created in March 1955, the Noumea-based airline Air Calédonie, is the only airline operating flights covering the whole New Caledonian domestic network.
The airline currently operates four regional aircraft, of which three are ATR 42-320s. It offers, departing from Magenta-Nouméa, most attractive destinations: the Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou, Ouvéa and Tiga), the isle of Pines and the North Province (Koné, Touho, Koumac and Bélep). Air Calédonie carries 300,000 passengers and over 1,500 tonnes of freight per year with a turnover in excess of 2 million French Pacific Francs.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) is the world leader in the 50 to 70-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR is certified ISO 9001-2000 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100, the worldwide quality standard in the field of aeronautics.
Contact:
| Frédéric Lahache |
Tel.: 33 5 62 21 60 61 Fax: 33 5 62 21 68 00 www.atraircraft.com mailto: frederic.lahache@atr.fr |
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