Brazil’s Passaredo Linhas Aéreas Takes Delivery of First ATR 72-600; Orders More

Brazilian carrier Passaredo Linhas Aéreas has added the new ATR 72-600 into its fleet.

The airline and the US-based leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) entered into an agreement for the introduction of four ATR 72-600s, and this week took delivery of the very first of these aircraft at the ATR facilities in Toulouse, France.

ATR and Passaredo used the delivery ceremony to officially reveal that they have signed a contract for the purchase of ten ATR 72-600s plus ten options, valued at some US$ 450 million.

The airline will introduce the four ATRs leased from ALC and the ten firm aircraft booked with the aircraft manufacturer progressively in 2012, 2013 and 2014, thus bringing to 14 its total fleet of ATR 72-600s.

In addition to this fleet of ATR 72-600s, Passaredo will also start operating this year two leased ATR 72-500s.

With the arrival of these new 70-seat ATRs, Passaredo will progressively add passenger capacity and substantially reduce seat-costs on its regional network. The airline will benefit from its Interline Agreement with Brazil's GOL group and will further develop its regional network with the introduction of new routes across the country.

Luiz Felicio, President of Passaredo Linhas Aéreas, said, “The ATR aircraft is proving itself as the right tool for regional operations in Brazil, as it combines highly reliable performance at small airfields and short runways with the highest standards of passenger comfort and very limited environmental footprint. Both from a cost and modernity perspective, the ATR 72-600 aircraft is definitely the best suited regional aircraft for short-haul operations in Brazil.”

ATR is well established in Latin America and the Caribbean region, with more than 130 aircraft flying in the livery of 29 operators, including more than 60 aircraft currently being operated in Brazil. Within the next three years, the number of ATRs flying in Brazil will grow beyond 100 aircraft.

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 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: 899 nautical miles (1,665 Kms)

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