Air Tahiti Orders More ATR Aircraft

Long-time ATR operator Air Tahiti, has placed orders for up to seven ATR -600 series aircraft - firm orders for three 50-seat ATR 42-600s and two 70 seat ATR 72-600s, as well as options for a further two ATR 72-600s.

Based in Papeete, French Polynesia, Air Tahiti serves one of the world’s most diverse and extensive networks, comprising 47 mid-Pacific islands and flight sector lengths ranging between just 15 kilometres and 1,600 kilometres.

The airline operates an all-ATR fleet of 10 aircraft – six 66-seat ATR-72-500s and four 48-seat ATR 42-500s, ferrying local residents, tourists and freight to, from and between the islands from the central hub of Papeete’s F’aaa International Airport.

“Air Tahiti is one of our most loyal customers, having already ordered 25 ATR aircraft since 1987,” said Laurent Negre, Sales Director Australia and South Pacific for ATR. “This new order brings the total number of firm aircraft ordered from Air Tahiti to the remarkable milestone of 30 units.

“It is significant and appropriate that Air Tahiti is not only one of the first in the world to order the next version of our aircraft family, but is the first to order both the 50 and the 70 seat versions,” Mr Negre added.

Air Tahiti’s CEO, Mr Marcel Galenon, said, “The ATR aircraft are the best suited to our demanding tropical salty environment and our diverse operational conditions such as short and narrow airstrips, flights of between 15 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes and ETOPS routes to name a few.”

ATR is a leading manufacturer of 50-70 seat turboprop aircraft. The most recent orders take to 979 the number of ATR regional aircraft ordered since the programme was launched in 1981. Of these, 810 have been delivered. In 2008, ATR delivered 55 aircraft and in 2009 expects to deliver a further 60.

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