The European turboprop manufacturer ATR and the leasing company Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced an agreement today for the purchase of five ATR 72-600 aircraft.
This order will bring ALC's ATR fleet to 21 aircraft. The ATR 72-600 aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, has a passenger capacity, between 68 to 74 seats and maximum flight range when fully loaded of 900 nautical miles (1,665 km).
Since ALC's first order three years ago, ATR has received nearly 110 firm orders from leasing companies, representing about a quarter of the total orders for this period. Leasing companies has placed the ATR aircraft with more than 180 operators worldwide.
Since 2010, ATR 72-600s accounted for three quarters of all regional aircraft with up to 90 seats purchased by all lessors worldwide, according to the aircraft maker.
Steven Udvar-Hazy, chairman and chief executive officer of Air Lease Corporation, said: "ATR aircraft are fuel-efficient, offer operational flexibility, and are equipped with comfortable cabins for their passengers. These advantages allow the 180 worldwide operators to increase economic and environmental efficiency when flying shorter routes. This aircraft has been great fit for a number of our regional airline customers."
Filippo Bagnato, Chief executive officer of ATR, added: "when we received our first order from ALC in 2010, we said that we were confident that the importance and prestige of this lessor was going to open up excellent opportunities with leasing companies. Three years later, we are very pleased with the success that not only ALC has had with our ATR 72-600s, but also the success seen with lessors overall." And he added: "The ATR 72-600 is the investment community's and aircraft operators' favorite for the regional market, and we are proud of this recognition."
