ATR Aircraft deliveries in 2009

Status 2009

ATR booked orders for 40 new aircraft (see figure 1) and options for 17 aircraft in 2009. Europe and Asia, each with orders for 16 aircraft, represented 80% of the total order intakes of the year. In addition, 50% of the orders of the year were booked for the newest ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft (2 ATR 42-600 and 18 ATR 72-600).

Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 1,000 new aircraft (418 ATR 42s and 582 ATR 72s). In the last 5 years, ATR has booked net orders for 316 new aircraft, which represents almost a third of the total orders registered by ATR.

ATR’s current portfolio is composed by 150 operators in over 80 countries.

ATR delivered 54 new aircraft in 2009 (see figure 2). As of December 31st 2009, ATR delivered a total of 864 aircraft (409 ATR 42s and 455 ATR 72s).

ATR finished 2009 with a backlog of 136 aircraft, including a total of 59 ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft. The current backlog represents more than two years of production.

ATR reached a new record in the annual turnover, with US $ 1.4 billion (see figure 3).

In 2009, according to their scheduled development programme, the ATR 72-600 pre-series aircraft started its flight test campaign, while the first ATR 42-600 was powered-on and began its ground tests.

ATR continued in 2009 the reinforcement of its customer support activities and further expanded its presence in Asia with the opening of a new logistic support center in Kuala Lumpur. This new facility enables its operators in the Asia-Pacific region having contracted a Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) to benefit from increased efficiency and reduced costs. In addition, ATR booked in 2009 new GMAs with 5 operators, covering 41 aircraft. Among these contracts, ATR inked with Spanish carrier Air Nostrum the first GMA for the maintenance of ‘-600 series’ aircraft. Today, 26% of the ATR aircraft in operation –over 200 aircraft- are covered by GMAs.

ATR has a total workforce of 870 employees.

Outlook 2010

ATR plans to consolidate its deliveries over 50 aircraft during 2010, while waiting to get a better overview on the recovery of the economy in order to continue its delivery ramp up. For 2010, ATR points also at the stabilization of its annual turnover, around US $ 1.4 billion. As already done in previous years, ATR will keep on strengthening its activities to assist its clients in order to source the optimal aircraft financing.

According to its development programme, the ATR 72-600 will continue its 150 hours flight test campaign in order to obtain its certification. The ATR 42-600 will start in 2010 its 75 hours flight test campaign, and will benefit from certain tests completed by the ATR 72-600. The production of the first commercial ATR ‘-600s’ will start in 2010, for an entry into service, as planned, in 2011.

In the last five years, turboprops are achieving higher commercial results than jets in the regional market and represented almost 60% of the total orders. The potential for turboprops is high both in growing economies and in regions where turboprops are replacing regional jets or previous turboprop versions. In 2010, ATR focus on consolidating its leading position in the turboprop market, with more than 50% of the total sales.

Concerning the support and services activities, ATR will continue expanding its worldwide support offer in 2010 with the opening of new training facilities, while evaluating further developments of its regional support policy.

WINGS AIR introduces First ATR 72-500s to Indonesia

Indonesia’s WINGS AIR, -a regional subsidiary of the national largest private carrier LION AIR- and ATR today celebrated the introduction of the first three ATR 72-500s to the fast growing Indonesian market. The delivery of these aircraft follows the signature, last year, of a contract for the purchase of 15 ATR 72-500s, plus options for 15 ATR 72-600s, valued at some US $ 600 million, options included.

The introduction of these first three ATR 72-500s was celebrated with a ceremony that took place in Manado, a growing tourism and diving destination, and was officially launched by His Excellency Freddy Numberi, Indonesian Minister of Transportation and SH Sarundajang, Governor of North Sulawesi.

The aircraft, configured with 72 seats and powered with Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, are equipped with a cabin featuring the most modern standards of passenger comfort, as well as with the most updated navigation technologies.

With the introduction of its new fleet of ATR 72-500s, WINGS AIR will consolidate its leading position in the domestic market in Indonesia, develop feeder routes to the main hubs and expand its network to remote areas of the country which where not benefiting from regular airline connectivity in the past.

The ATR 72-500s operated by WINGS AIR will also replace routes currently operated with MD 80 and increase frequencies on existing routes operated with Lion Air B-737-900ER. The remaining 12 firm ATR 72-500s will be progressively introduced in 2010 and 2011.

Source: ATR

Nigeria Becomes 1st Export Customer for ATR 42MP

ROME – Alenia Aeronautica has delivered to the Nigerian Air Force the first of two ATR 42MP maritime patrol aircraft ordered in March 2007, the firm said.

The second aircraft will be delivered in 2010, said Alenia, which is a unit of Italy’s Finmeccanica. ATR aircraft are jointly built by Alenia and EADS, although maritime patrol versions are marketed by Alenia.

The Nigerian contract covers pilot and operator training on the basic aircraft, which is being held in Toulouse, as well as training on the MP version at Alenia’s training center in Turin, Italy. Training will continue in Nigeria after delivery, Alenia said.

The green aircraft was sent from Toulouse to Alenia’s facility in Brindisi, Italy, where structural and system modifications were made. Maritime patrol sensors and systems were then added by Alenia in Turin, where flight tests were also held.

The aircraft was fitted with Selex Galileo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance system.

Nigeria becomes the first export customer for the ATR 42MP, which is already in operational use with the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Customs Police. The Nigerian Air Force will use the aircraft for reconnaissance, patrolling its Exclusive Economic Zone, and performing search and rescue activities.

Source: Defensenews.com

Air Algérie orders 4 ATR 72-500s

ATR and the Algerian national airline Air Algérie announced today the signature of a contract for the sale of 4 ATR 72-500s. This agreement, valued at some US $ 82 million, has been inked in Algiers in the presence of Mr. Amar Tou, Algeria’s Minister of Transports. Deliveries of the aircraft will take place in 2010.

These 4 ATR 72-500s, configured with 66 seats, will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney 127M engines as well as the latest technological innovations in navigational aids and communication instruments.

With these new aircraft, Air Algérie, whose fleet already includes 8 ATR 72-500s, will be able to offer its passengers an optimized service, in particular increasing its flight frequencies and opening new routes inside the country and to neighboring countries.

Also, within the framework of creating a training center by Air Algérie, ATR will assist in the installation, start-up and operation of a new flight simulator.

The archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon receives its first ATR 42-500

Air Saint Pierre took delivery today of the first ATR 42-500 that will be operated in the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The aircraft, ordered in 2008 by SAEMAI (Société Anonyme d’Economie Mixte Aéronautique des Iles/Mixed Business Aeronautical Company of the Islands) is equipped with new PW 127M engines and will replace the ATR 42-320 which has been operated by the company for the last 15 years.

Due to the special operating conditions of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the ATR 42-500 had to be tested and certified to be able to operate in cross winds reaching up to 45 knots at takeoff and landing (instead of the 30 knots already certified).

Air Vanuatu takes delivery of new ATR 72-500

Air Vanuatu today accepted delivery of the new ATR 72-500, from the order announced last year at the Singapore Air Show and valued at US $ 20.5 million. The aircraft, configured with 68 seats and powered by PW 127M engines, will enable the airline to increase its domestic fleet passenger capacity and to respond to the traffic growth on regional routes.

ATR enters the Libyan market with a contract for 2 ATR 42-500s

ATR appoints new president for India’s Customer Services

ATR appointed Jean-Luc Establie (52) as new president of the ATR India Customer Support Private Ltd, its subsidiary in India, succeeding Marc Bourret, who is taking new responsibilities as Project & Planning Director in the ATR Customer Services directorate.

Jean-Luc Establie has been since 2002 Sales Director for India and the surrounding region. In his position he strongly contributed to the success of ATR in the development of the regional market in India, with sales for more than 70 new aircraft since 2005.

While keeping his sales responsibilities, Jean-Luc Establie will additionally be in charge of further developing and expanding the customer support services provided by ATR, which also play an important role in its success in the region.

He initially joined ATR in 1999 as Sales Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Prior to joining ATR, he worked at Socata from 1996 as Sales Director for Southern Europe. Previously, he had worked in the Marketing and Commercial Department of the Electronic division of Aerospatiale (the predecessor to EADS), being in charge of the worldwide promotion of Aircraft Electronic Documentation and Aircraft Maintenance software. He initially joined Aerospatiale in the Electronic division as a CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) manager.

He started his career in 1982 in developing real time software.

Jean-Luc Establie received a Masters in Electronics & Computers from the Institut Supérieur d’Electronique du Nord (Lille, France) in 1982.

Jean-Luc Establie has a CPL (Commercial Pilot License), and flies as Instructor and Flight Examiner. He has three children and likes skiing and diving.

Source: ATR

The Royal Thai Air Force receives its first VIP ATR 72-500

Thailand’s RTAF (Royal Thai Air Force) today took delivery of its first ATR 72-500 from a contract that was signed in 2007 for four ATR 72 VIP aircraft. This first ATR features a state-of-the-art VIP cabin interior and will be dedicated to the transport of the Thai Royal Family, as well as other Government and military officials.

The aircraft is powered by two PW 127M engines, and is equipped with ATR’s optional front passenger door. The remaining three ATR 72-500s will be delivered before the end of the year. ATR aircraft have been operating in Thailand since 1990, with three airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and PB Air, currently operating ATR 72s. The aircraft delivered today is the first being ordered by the Government.

Stéphane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “We are confident that these specifically designed VIP ATR aircraft will fulfill the transportation needs of the highest authorities in Thailand”.

He also underlined “the importance of the strong support base of ATR in South East Asia, which is definitely contributing to our continued success in this part of the world. Airlines, as well as Governments, know they can count on our expertise and our proximity to efficiently operate their ATR fleets.”

ATR to present first ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft on October 1st

ATR is pleased to announce the official presentation of the first ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft, an ATR 72-600, at a ceremony which will take place on October 1st in Toulouse.

The new ‘-600 series’ programme for both models, ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600, launched in October 2007, is progressing accordingly to the scheduled calendar.

The first ATR 72-600 aircraft started its flight trials campaign on July 24, 2009 after being powered-on in December 2008.

Flight trials for the first ATR 42-600 aircraft will take place next year.

These two aircraft should make some 150 and 75 flight hours respectively in order to test the new equipment, including a new avionics suite and the most modern navigation aid tools. The ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft, powered with PW 127M engines, take an additional 500 Kg on MTOW (Maximum Take-off weight) and MZFW (Maximum Zero Fuel Weight).

These aircraft will feature the lowest fuel consumption per passenger and the lowest CO2 emissions, thus positioning themselves as the most ecological solution for regional transportation.

Furthermore, the ATR ‘-600 series’ is to be fitted with a new cabin, currently under development, offering the most modern standards of comfort and design. According to plan, certification will lead to the entry into service of the first commercial ATR 72-600s and ATR 42-600s in 2011.

Today, two years after the launch of this programme, ATR has already booked orders for 59 ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft (5 ATR 42-600s and 54 ATR 72-600s).

Source: ATR

ATR 72-212A MSN 670 ACCIDENT AT LANDING

ATR regrets to confirm that on Tuesday August 04th, 2009 the ATR72-212A manufacturing serial number 670, made a runway excursion at landing in Koh Samui airport (Thailand). 

Further to the runway veer-off, the aircraft impacted a disused control tower. Among the aircraft occupants, one sustained fatal injuries and several were transported to the local hospitals.

ATR has offered full technical assistance to the investigation board.
Upon request of local and French Authorities, an ATR team is going to the accident side for assisting the Thailand Investigation Authorities.

The investigation remains the entire responsibility of the relevant board and it would be inappropriate for ATR to enter into any form of speculation.
The Authorities leading the investigations will be the official source of information.

The concerns and sympathy of the ATR employees go to the persons affected, to their families, friends and loved ones.

Source: ATR

Spanish carrier Air Nostrum places order for 10 ATR 72-600s plus options for 10 additional aircraft

ATR and the Spanish carrier Air Nostrum today inked a contract for the purchase of 10 ATR 72-600s, plus options for 10 additional aircraft. The deal, announced on the occasion of the Paris Air Show and worth some US $ 425 million including options, allowed the European regional turboprop manufacturer to go beyond the 1,000th aircraft sold since the beginning of the programme.

The new ATR 72-600 fleet will allow Air Nostrum to start replacing and upgrading its current fleet of 17 Bombardier’s Q-300s with larger capacity aircraft featuring the latest technological enhancements and the lowest seat-mile costs in regional aviation. The aircraft will also have the new cabin interior features of the ATR 600s, with improved lightweight, enhanced comfort seats and enlarged overhead bins. The delivery of these 70-seat configured aircraft will start in 2011.

Source: ATR

Next Page »