ATR and Royal Air Maroc sign contract for 8 ATR ‘-600 series aircraft, including 2 options
Le Bourget, 16 June 2009
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On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, Morocco’s flag carrier Royal Air Maroc and ATR today signed a contract for the purchase of 4 ATR 72-600s and 2 ATR 42-600s aircraft, plus options for 2 additional ATR 72-600s. This contract follows an agreement inked and announced in March 2009. The aircraft will be operated by Regional Air Maroc Express, the new regional subsidiary of the airline, which will be launched in the next weeks and has been created in cooperation with the Moroccan Public Authorities.
The deliveries of these ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft will start in 2011. Meanwhile, in order to ease the launch of Royal Air Maroc Express, the airline will lease 4 ATR 72-200s from ATR. The first ATR 72-200 is currently being delivered.
These ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s, configured with 48 and 70-seats respectively, will be equipped with a new avionics suite featuring the most advanced technologies in navigation aid and communication tools. The aircraft will also be equipped with an enhanced cabin in order to offer higher comfort to the passengers.
Commenting on this contract, Driss Benhima, President of Royal Air Maroc, declared: “We are very pleased to introduce the ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft in Morocco and to become its first operator in the Mediterranean region. The ATR’-600 series’, because of their low operating costs and their performances, particularly in hot and high environments, are perfectly adapted to the needs of our regional transport. With these aircraft, we will offer our passengers aircraft featuring the highest standards of comfort and environmental friendliness. We are pleased to name them the ‘greenliners’ of the regional aviation”. He added: “We have decided to introduce the ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft in order to develop our regional network, enhance the air connectivity between Moroccan towns and reinforce their appeal, thus contributing to promote national tourism. We are pleased to provide our fellow clients with appropriate timetables and frequencies.”
Stéphane Mayer, ATR Chief Executive Officer, underlined his satisfaction of counting Royal Air Maroc, such a prestigious African carrier, among ATR customers. “We are especially satisfied of participating in the launch of its regional subsidiary with aircraft featuring the most reduced CO2 emissions of the regional market. With their new ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s, Royal Air Maroc Express will be able to develop its network with aircraft which, because of their low operating costs, are well positioned to optimize each flight’s profitability”. The Chief Executive Officer of ATR also said that “with the new developments of the ATR ‘600 series’ in passenger comfort, particularly with the new seats and the enlarged overhead bins, ATR is pleased to contribute to the high-quality service provided by Royal Air Maroc”.
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 998 aircraft (424 ATR 42s and 574 ATR 72s).
The ATR –600 series: the newest generation
The new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 aircraft will feature the very latest technological enhancements, while building upon the well-known advantages of the current “-500 series” aircraft. These enhancements include a totally new avionics suite, new PW 127M engines, and additional 500 Kg on MTOW (Maximum Take-off weight and MZFW (Maximum Zero Fuel Weight). These newest members of the ATR family of aircraft will feature the lowest fuel consumption per passenger and CO2 emissions, thus consolidating ATR as the “Green Player” of the regional aviation.
About Royal Air Maroc:
Since 1957, Royal Air Maroc ensures passenger and freight transportation, continually guided by an exigency of quality, safeness and customer satisfaction. The airline represents a strong partner for the main operators of air transport, tourism and aeronautical industry. Royal Air Maroc workforce is about 4,600 people and operates some 1,200 flights a week.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. In 2008, ATR posted an annual turnover record, with US $ 1.3 billion. ATR is certified ISO 14001, the worldwide standard in the field of environmental respect.
Contact
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Tel.: +33 5 62 21 66 14 www.atr.fr mailto: presse@atr.fr |
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