ATR and the Algerian national airline Air Algérie announced today the signature of a contract for the sale of 4 ATR 72-500s. This agreement, valued at some US $ 82 million, has been inked in Algiers in the presence of Mr. Amar Tou, Algeria’s Minister of Transports.
Deliveries of the aircraft will take place in 2010. These 4 ATR 72-500s, configured with 66 seats, will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney 127M engines as well as the latest technological innovations in navigational aids and communication instruments.
With these new aircraft, Air Algérie, whose fleet already includes 8 ATR 72-500s, will be able to offer its passengers an optimized service, in particular increasing its flight frequencies and opening new routes inside the country and to neighboring countries.
Also, within the framework of creating a training center by Air Algérie, ATR will assist in the installation, start-up and operation of a new flight simulator.
Commenting on this signature, Abdelwahid Bouabdallah, President and Managing Director of Air Algérie, declared, "Air Algérie has operated ATRs since 2003, and is satisfied. The 4 additional ATRs reinforce the uniformity of our fleet dedicated to the domestic network." In addition, he added, "Thanks to these new aircraft we consolidate our position amongst the most modern airlines on the continent, with one of the youngest fleets. The ATRs allow us to open up regions not able to receive our other types of aircraft. We are therefore doubly satisfied to be able to provide high-quality public service and coverage over all the national territory". Abdelwahid Bouabdallah also underlined "the high quality of assistance offered by ATR, which will allow us an optimal commissioning and use of our new training facilities".
"We are very happy to receive the renewal of the confidence of Air Algérie, a highly respected company that we are proud to count amongst our operators", declared Stéphane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "This renewed confidence shows the point to which ATRs are perfectly adapted to Air Algérie’s requirements for getting an optimal operation of its domestic and regional network. Thanks to the low cost per seat and of maintenance, ATRs remain the best placed aircraft to enable airlines to operate the most profitably". He concluded, "We are also very satisfied with the confidence of our customers in the Mediterranean basin, where this year we have booked orders for a dozen aircraft. This enables us to consolidate our strong presence in the region, where we currently have some twenty aircraft in operation".
Source: Press Release (ATR)