ATR and US-based leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) signed a contract for the acquisition of 2 ATR 72-600s. These 72-seat aircraft are the conversion into firm orders of two of the ten options that ATR and ALC included in their first deal, booked in Farnborough 2010. With the purchase of these two aircraft, ALC will increase its total fleet of ATR 72-600s to 14.
Vientiane-based carrier Lao Airlines and ATR announced the signature of a contract for the purchase of 2 ATR 72-600s; valued at $ 47m upon catalogue price. These two new aircraft will be added to Lao Airlines’ current fleet of 4 ATR 72-500s. The airline is in the midst of expanding its fleet in order to increase frequency on existing routes and to open new destinations in the surrounding region. The arrival of these 2 70-seat ATR 72-600s will help the airline to maintain its position as the preferred premium airline in Laos.
ATR and Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways signed a contract for 8 firm ATR 72-600s, plus an option for one additional ATR 72-600. The deal, including the option, is valued at over $ 210m. Deliveries of these new ATR -600s will start in 2014 and extend through 2017. With the purchase of these aircraft, TransAsia Airways will progressively replace their current fleet of 9 ATR 72-500s operating in their domestic network with the newest ATR -600 series aircraft developments.
Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) signed a contract for the purchase of one ATR 42-600, the first new ATR42-600 that NAC have taken. This contract along with the 12 new ATR 72-600s and ATR 72-500s already ordered by NAC highlight the strong interest of leasing companies in the ATR aircraft family. Leasing companies represent almost 20% of the total ATR sales within the last couple of years.Today, some 160 ATR aircraft in operation around the world are owned by leasing companies.
