Air Tahiti orders two ATR 42-500s
Le Bourget, 17 June 2003
The European consortium ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) has received an order for two new-generation ATR 42-500s from long-time customer French Polynesian AIR TAHITI.
The airline already operates a fleet of 9 ATR 500 series (4 ATR 42-500s and 5 ATR 72-500s) on its inter-island network. The additional ATR 42-500s will be delivered in December 2003 and June 2004.
The ATR fleet operated by AIR TAHITI has an average age of 2.5 years with an average daily utilization of 6 flight hours. AIR TAHITI’s annual traffic is 700 000 passengers which consists of 70% local passengers and 30% international tourists.
Since 1980 air traffic in the Polynesian archipel has been increasing at an annual rate of 7 to 10% as a result of hotel development on the islands as well as of a boost in the local economy.
AIR TAHITI was also the first airline to receive the ETOPS certification on the ATR 72. The airline’s network includes 42 islands scattered over the full dimension of French Polynesia. The shortest route is 15km (Tahiti-Moorea) and the longest 1600km (Tahiti-Mangavera).
According to Christian VERNAUDON, President of AIR TAHITI, the ATR is «"well adapted to the inter-island flights. The reliability, easy maintenance, high comfort and low operating costs are the reasons for our ATR choice."
Jean-Michel LEONARD, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, is « proud with this new proof of confidence by AIR TAHITI who has become a reference amongst ATR customers. The ATR is the best technical and economic solution for AIR TAHITI’s network. »
In the Asia and Asia Pacific region ATR has currently 17 operators for a total of 81 aircraft (16 ATR 42s and 65 ATR 72s).
To date ATR has sold 673 ATRs worldwide (372 ATR 42s and 301 ATR 72s). The ATR is operated by 113 airlines in 73 countries.
ATR is an equal partnership between EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) and FINMECCANICA/ALENIA AERONAUTICA and is the world leader in the 40 to 70 seat turboprop market.
More information on Air Tahiti is available at www.airtahiti.pf
Press Office ATR Chalet (Row B 156)
Ann de Crozals
Phone:00 33 (0)1 41 57 55 67
Fax: 00 33 (0)1 41 57 47 64
E-mail: presse.bourget@atr.fr
