Golden Air of Sweden Orders Two ATR 72-500s

Swedish regional airline Golden Air, part of Erik Thun AB group - which includes aircraft leasing among its activities - has ordered two new ATR 72-500 turboprops. Due for delivery in August and October 2010, the new aircraft will increase Golden Air’s ATR 72-500 fleet to five.

These two new aircraft will fly in the colours of Blue 1, a regional airline and SAS feeder based in Helsinki, Finland. They will complement an ATR 72-200 and two Saab 2000s also operated by Golden Air for Blue 1.

In 2008 Golden Air became the first airline in Sweden to operate an ATR 72-500. Impressed with this aircraft, and with Erik Thun AB experience as lessor of a fleet of 9 ATR 72-200s, Golden Air has now renewed its confidence in ATR by the purchase of these two new ATR 72-500s.

Anders Kallsson, Managing Director of Golden Air and Erik Thun AB, said, “We’ve been extremely pleased with our ATR 72s’ low operating costs, useful 72-seat capacity, high levels of comfort and strong residual values. Scandinavia is very environmentally conscious and has some strict regulations in place, especially at airports, so our ATR 72s’ low noise and CO2 emissions really help.”

Founded in 1976, Golden Air and based in Trollhättan in western Sweden, Golden Air will serve 16 cities and towns in Sweden and Finland. It operates hubs at Trollhättan-Vänersborg, Stockholm-Bromma and Ängelholm-Helsingborg airports. Golden Air leases 15 aircraft from mother company Erik Thun AB, including six ATR 72s. Erik Thun AB owns 35 turboprop aircraft, and manages a further three. With this order its fleet will include 14 ATR 72s.

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