ATR announces sale to Malaysia Airlines and reaches 900th aircraft ordered
Rome, 25 June 2007
ATR disclosed today the decision by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to acquire a fleet of 10 ATR 72-500s plus options for 10 additional aircraft. The contract, valued at US $ 183 million, has been inked in the presence of His Excellence Abdullah Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Romano Prodi, the Italian Prime Minister.
The aircraft are intended for the expansion of Firefly – subsidiary airline 100 % owned by MAS - which will establish its hubs in Penang, Subang, Yohoar Baharau, and Kota Kinabalu. The ATR aicraft will progressively replace the current Fokker 50 aircraft fleet of the airline.
These 72-seat aircraft will be equipped with the “Elegance” cabin, Light Emitting Diode (LED), Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) as well as the newest technological innovations in passenger comfort, communications and navigation tools. Deliveries will start in 2008.
With this deal, ATR reaches its 900th new aircraft sold (416 ATR 42s and 484 ATR 72s) since the beginning of the programme. This order also marks an outstanding year to-date, with 63 new aircraft sold in the first half of 2007. In six months, ATR has already reached the same quantity of total orders posted during 2006, which was also an outstanding performance for ATR. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has delivered 730 aircraft (394 ATR 42s and 336 ATR 72s), and posts a current backlog of 170 aircraft.
The –500 series: New Generation aircraft
With its ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, ATR supplies state-of-the-art aircraft with jet-like comfort. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low noise levels. Low fuel burn and gaseous emissions contribute to make the ATR environment friendly. All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations, effective 1st January 2006.
About MAS
Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier of Malaysia, is recognized as one of Asia's largest, flying more than 48,000 passengers to some 100 destinations across 6 continents everyday. The airline holds a lengthy record of service and best practices excellence, having received more than 100 awards in the last 10 years. The most notable ones include being the first airline to win the "World's Best Cabin Crew" by Skytrax UK consecutively from 2001 until 2004, "5-star airline" in 2005 and 2006, as well as No.1 for "Economy Class Onboard Excellence 2006" also by Skytrax UK. Under its new leadership, MAS has undergone a dramatic turnaround, which is providing the opportunity for Idris Jala, MAS CEO, to find new untapped market opportunities.
About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. In 2006, ATR posted a turnover of US $ 700 million, an increase of 30% compared to 2005. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS.
Press Contact ATR
| Frédéric Lahache |
Tel.: 33 5 62 21 60 61 Fax: 33 5 62 21 68 00 www.atr.fr mailto: frederic.lahache@atr.fr |
