Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) is sharing in the booming regional market and the upswing in orders for short-haul turboprop aircraft, with this year already proving fruitful after two record years. Just before this week’s Paris Air Show, the Toulouse, France-based regional turboprop aircraft manufacturer unveiled a contract for six new ATR 72-500s and eight options from leading Philippines low-fare domestic and regional carrier Cebu Pacific, enabling it to enter its domestic market for the first time.
Earlier in May, the equal partnership between Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica and EADS had delivered the first of 10 ATR 72-500s to Irish regional carrier Aer Arann. Since the beginning of the year, ATR has received orders for 27 aircraft and has delivered 12, including its first of its twin turboprop family to be equipped with the new “Elegance Cabin” and in-flight entertainment system. The new-look cabin features LED lighting throughout; the first example of it was delivered in January to India’s Kingfisher Airlines.
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