Avianca and Taca Order 15 ATR 72-600s

The Latin American aviation group AviancaTaca Holding, has signed a major contract with ATR for the purchase of 15 ATR 72-600s, plus options for 15 additional aircraft.

The deal, including the options, is valued at close to US$ 700 million. The deliveries of the firm aircraft are scheduled to start in June 2013.

AviancaTaca is one of the largest, and fastest growing, aviation groups in Latin America. It currently operates a combined fleet of more than 150 aircraft, the second largest fleet in Latin America. The group serves more than 100 destinations in Latin America, US, Canada, Caribbean region and Europe, and has 4 major hubs in Bogota, San Salvador, Lima and San José de Costa Rica.

With the introduction to their fleet of 15 brand new 70-seat ATR 72-600, AviancaTaca will progressively replace the Fokker 50s and ATR 42s currently in operation.

Avianca will fly the new ATR 72-600s to destinations like Barrancabermeja, Florencia, Manizales, Neiva, Pasto, Popayán, Tumaco and Yopal, in Colombia.

Taca will fly the aircraft to Guatemala city and Flores (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa, Roatán and San Pedro Sula (Honduras), San Salvador (El Salvador), Managua (Nicaragua), and San José and Liberia (Costa Rica).

Commenting on the deal, Mr. Fabio Villegas Ramirez, Chief Executive Officer of AviancaTaca, said, “With the introduction of these new 72-seat ATR 72-600s, we reemphasize our commitment to the connectivity within the regions in Colombia and Central America. The selected aircraft will enable us to increase our capacity in regional routes, further enhance our network and propose the highest standards of comfort to our passengers.”

Mr. Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, added, “This is indeed a major contract for ATR as we are signing with a well-reputed and leading-edge air transportation provider in the Americas. We are proud to be a part of the expansion of AviancaTaca. At the same time, we are pleased of renewing a longstanding relationship that dates back over 15 years with TACA Regional, and to further increase the presence of the new ATR 72-600s in the whole of Latin America. Our aircraft have experienced an outstanding success in this region in recent years due to their flexibility and low operating costs.”

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kgs
Maximum load: 7,500 Kgs
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Kms)

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