The Colombian government-owned airline SATENA, together with turboprop manufacturer ATR, has announced the successful delivery of a brand-new ATR 42-600, which is set to begin operations at the beginning of October.
Equipped with the latest technology and offering the lowest cost per trip in its category, the new ATR 42-600 will enable SATENA to extend its reach and play a more prominent role in the domestic market by connecting underserved towns and villages in a sustainable manner. Joining a fleet of ten ATR aircraft—including two ATR 72-600s, four ATR 42-600s and four ATR 42-500s—this addition is a significant milestone as it is the first aircraft directly acquired from ATR by the airline. With its arrival, existing routes will be strengthened, increasing the number of available seats to destinations such as Guainía, Vaupés, Inírida, Vichada, Mitú, Puerto Carreño, and the Pacific coast. Key connections such as Bogotá-Quibdó, Cali-Guapi, Medellín-Bahía Solano, and Medellín-Mitú will also benefit from enhanced capacity.
ATR aircraft have been pivotal to SATENA's growth, which now operates 142 routes to 52 destinations, of which 83 are social routes critical to ensuring mobility in remote communities.
SATENA's ATR fleet is supported by a global maintenance agreement, which includes lease stock and standard exchange of line replaceable units, as well as propeller blade repair services.
