TOULOUSE, France --- ATR has been selected by Air Deccan to provide 30 new ATR 72-500 aircraft and 6 second-hand aircraft (3 ATR 42-500 and 3 ATR 72-500). This was announced on the occasion of a joint press conference held today in Bangalore (India) between ATR and the Indian low-cost airline Air Deccan.
Deliveries of aircraft will begin in 2005 and will be spread over a 5 year-period at the rate of 6 to 8 aircraft a year. The ATR 72-500 aircraft will be delivered in a 72-seat configuration.
With this order Air Deccan passes an important step by ordering for the first time brand new ATR aircraft. This order allows Air Deccan to achieve its plan to connect all main Indian cities to the major metropolitan centres at a very low fare.
Air Deccan’s Managing Director Captain Gopinath stated that “We are quite happy with the operation of ATR aircraft in India from the very beginning. Our passengers very well appreciate these aircraft. After an evaluation of both ATR and Bombardier aircraft, we have chosen the ATR aircraft as we find it most suitable for our operations and for the Indian market for short haul routes. By expanding our ATR fleet with wider capacity aircraft we hope to supplement the demand that we have fuelled by dropping our fares and making flying affordable to the common man. The cost per seat will be lower so I can bring down my prices even more.”
“I’m very proud that Air Deccan made this choice in favour of ATR,” Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, stated. “After having started its operations with used ATR aircraft in 2003, the first Indian low-cost airline confirms, with this order, the suitability of ATR aircraft for the Indian market. It’s also a choice for maximum profitability: the ATR 72-500 aircraft have the lowest seat mile costs in its category and the high degree of commonality between the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft results in major cost savings and flexibility.”
Filippo Bagnato added: “We are also working with Air Deccan on a global partnership that includes the creation of a training centre to be located in Bangalore and a well-advanced concept of integrated product support.”
Air Deccan is a division of Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. that was created in 1997. The fast growing Bangalore-based airline started its operations in 2003 with a fleet of 4 ATR 42-320 and currently operates 9 ATR 42s on its domestic network with links to citiescities such as Hubli, Belgaum, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Chennai, Derhadun, Jaipur, Goa, Vijayawada, Mangalore and Amritsar…from Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai an New Delhi. The total fleet will grow to 12 ATR 42s with the 3 remaining ATR 42-500 deliveries in early 2005.
ATR currently holds a market share in India of 60% in the 20 to 90-seat regional market and of the turboprop sector the market share is 73%. In the Asia Pacific area, 97 ATRs are currently operated by 22 airlines. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has delivered 688 aircraft (381 ATR 42 and 307 ATR 72).
The ATR 72-500 is the latest development of the ATR 72 with a proven average dispatch reliability of more than 99.6%.
This version shares the same power-plant, six-bladed propellers, the same interior design and soundproofing techniques of the ATR 42-500, thus offering the same excellent comfort and passenger appeal with a standard 68-seat capacity. The ATR 72-500 has the lowest seat mile costs in its category, recognised as a benchmark for the regional market. The increased power and aerodynamic refinements provide excellent take-off and landing performance.
ATR aircraft are labelled the most fuel efficient in their category. On a 200 Nm sector, the ATR 72 fuel consumption per passenger is much lower than that of the competition either turboprop or jet.
All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to future Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low outside noise levels. Low fuel burn and gaseous emissions contribute to make the ATR environment friendly.
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 (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company).
