Avation Plc takes delivery of its first ATR 72-600 in Asia Pacific region
Aircraft to be operated on Australian regional routes
The first ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft destined for the Asia Pacific Region was delivered today to the leasing company Avation Plc, as part of an agreement with Australian regional carrier Skywest Airlines and Virgin Australia. The aircraft was received by Avation’s Chief Operating Officer, Rod Mahoney, at ATR’s manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.
Avation Plc has placed firm orders for nine ATR 72-600 aircraft to be operated on Australian regional routes and has options to purchase another eight ATR 72-600s. The company already has placed six ATR 72-500s in Australia as part of the agreement.
The ATR 72-600 is the latest addition to the ATR aircraft family, and the most advanced regional aircraft flying today with features including a new full-glass cockpit, awarded Giugiaro-designed cabin interiors and PW 127M engines. In addition to the outstanding economic performance of ATR aircraft, the ATR 72-600 sets a new standard of comfort for passengers, offers more cabin baggage capacity and delivers improved operational flexibility for airlines.
Jeff Chatfield, Chairman and Founding Director of Avation Plc, said: “This is the first of a series of ATR 72-600s we are buying and we are delighted that it will be the first operating in the Asia Pacific region where we are successfully operating on a number of Australian regional routes. The acquisition is in line with our strategy to own and maintain a fleet aircraft which are of a low age and very fuel efficient and which as a result, have a high residual value to shareholders."
Filippo Bagnato, the Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said: “Today’s delivery to Avation is significant not only because this is the first ATR 72-600 to go to the Asia Pacific region but because of the growing importance of Avation as an ATR customer. There has been very positive feedback from passengers who have travelled on the ATR 72-500s in Australia, and the enhanced comfort of the new 600 series model should contribute to continued favourable reaction to ATR services. Avation’s commitment to expand with ATR 72-600s is a significant vote of confidence in our aircraft.”
About the ATR 72-600
- Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
- Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horsepower per engine
- Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 kg
- Maximum load: 7,500 kg
- Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 kilometres)
About Avation Plc
Avation PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:AVAP) and is a Singapore-based group that specialises in commercial aircraft leasing.
For additional information, log on to www.avation.net
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.