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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