Skywest Airlines takes delivery of its first ATR 72-500

Australian carrier Skywest Airlines took delivery of its first ATR 72-500, which is also the very first ATR 72 aircraft in Australia. Skywest Airlines will operate its new ATR fleet on behalf of Virgin Australia, as part of a 10-year agreement signed recently between both airlines to create a regional network for Virgin Australia. This delivery follows the signature of a contract for 4 ATR 72-500s and 4 ATR 72-600s, plus 5 options, inked earlier this year between ATR and the leasing company Avation PLC. The remaining 3 ATR 72-500s will be delivered this year, while the 4 ATR 72-600s will enter into service in 2012. All of these ATR 72s will wear the new white and red livery of Virgin Australia.