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The Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas has
signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of 20 ATR 72-600s,
plus options for 20 additional aircraft. This makes Azul the first
airline in Latin America to place an order for the ATR -600 series
aircraft. The deal is worth some US$ 850 million, including
options. Deliveries of the new aircraft will commence in late
2011.
The new ATR 72-600 fleet will allow Azul to broaden
the ongoing expansion of its domestic regional network, which is
currently being developed with a fleet of E-190s and E-195s
presently serving over 21 destinations in Brazil, by entering into
many other regional routes that are ideally suited for the
passenger capacity of the ATR 72-600.
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive
Officer of ATR, said, “We are extremely pleased to include
Azul as a new member of the ATR family of operators. Azul gives
ATR the opportunity to introduce the newest ATR ‘-600 series’ into
Brazil and Latin America, a country and a region with very high
growth potential for regional transportation. Azul is a dynamic,
rapidly growing airline and we are pleased to be part of their
expansion and success. The reduced fuel consumption of the ATRs,
up to 50% less than for regional jets, provides a transportation
solution at optimal operating cost and with limited impact on the
beautiful environment of Brazil.”
David Neeleman, Founder
and Chairman of the Board of Azul, added, “This is a great
moment for all of us at Azul. Our commitment for this brand new
fleet of ATR 72-600 will enable Azul to serve even more cities in
the vast Brazilian territory, linking smaller communities with
major cities with seamless connectivity between our jets and the
new ATRs. That allows Azul to gain even more momentum in its
fast-paced growth; our customers to benefit from superior service
with affordable airfares; and the Brazilian country as a whole,
welcoming in many underserved markets this new generation of
environmentally friendly, advanced turboprops.”
Azul started operations in
December 2008, first connecting the Brazilian cities of Campinas
to Porto Alegre and Campinas to Salvador, with daily nonstop
flights. Now it connects 21 of the largest cities in the country:
Campinas, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Maringá, Navegantes,
Florianópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande,
Vitória, Salvador, Recife, Maceió, Fortaleza, Natal, Manaus,
Goiânia, Porto Seguro, São Paulo, Cuiabá and, in August, Brasília.
Azul also offers bus lines to other key points, taking its number
of cities served to 25. Its fleet is the youngest in the country,
composed of 10 Embraer 190 and 8 Embraer 195 aircraft.
ATR is well
established in Brazil, where 37 of its aircraft are currently
operated by 3 carriers. As of today, ATR has 106 aircraft and 25
operators in Latin America.
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