Caribbean Airlines takes delivery of its first ATR 72-600

Trinidad and Tobago’s national flag carrier will start replacing its ageing fleet of Bombardier Q-300s and adding frequencies, routes and passenger capacity.

Caribbean Airlines today took delivery in Toulouse of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft. The Port-of-Spain-based carrier, which becomes one of the very first operators of the new ‘ATR -600 series’, booked earlier this year a US$ 200 million-valued contract for the purchase of a total of 9 of these aircraft. The aircraft are configured with 68 seats and equipped with the new ATR -600s standards of comfort, including In-Flight Entertainment.

With this new ATR 72-600 delivered 09 November 2011 Caribbean Airlines will start replacing its fleet of five 50-seat Q-300s and introducing newest and most technologically advanced turboprops into its domestic routes. The airline will also add passenger capacity and develop new routes and frequencies within Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Airlines will also operate some of its new ATR 72-600s in the domestic route network of Air Jamaica, which was recently acquired by Trinidad and Tobago’s flag carrier.

ATR is well established in the Latin American and Caribbean region, with some 140 aircraft in operation, plus more than 60 on order.

Commenting on today’s first delivery, Robert Corbie, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Airlines declared: “The introduction of this very first ATR 72-600 aircraft marks a real milestone in our national aviation. It represents the arrival of the most modern and cost-efficient regional turboprop aircraft into our country. It will bring even better connectivity and comfort to our passengers, at optimal fares”.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “We are proud of including such a fast growing and dynamic carrier as Caribbean Airlines among our list of operators. The ATR -600 series aircraft are optimally suited for the short-haul routes they operate. The ATR 72-600s reduces up to 50% the fuel consumption and up to 30% the operating costs if compared to other 70-seat regional aircraft. It features also optimal performances on short runways. The new ATR -600s are becoming really popular aircraft among Latin America and the Caribbean carriers. There will be some 60 ATR -600s operating soon in the region”.

About the 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 Kg
    * Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
    * Maximum range with full passenger load: 899 nautical miles (1,665 Km)

About Caribbean Airlines

Caribbean Airlines began operations on 1 January 2007 and currently serves 13 markets in the Caribbean, South America and North America, operating a core schedule of 530 weekly departures with a fleet of 13 aircraft. Caribbean Airlines recently acquired Air Jamaica and has embarked on realizing its vision of “one Caribbean Airline”, providing world-class service within the Caribbean region and beyond. The Air Jamaica operation of Caribbean Airlines presently serves 4 destinations in the USA and Canada as well as Grenada and the Bahamas with a fleet of 6 aircraft.

About ATR

Formed in 1981, ATR has grown to become the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced 50 to 74 seat regional turboprop aircraft, has sold more than 1,200 aircraft and has 179 operators in 91 countries. ATR operators have cumulated more than 21 million flights. ATR is a joint venture and equal partnership between major European aerospace companies Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. Its headquarters are in Toulouse, France. ATR is certified ISO 14001, the worldwide standard for environmental management and sustainability.


Source: ATR Press, By David Vargas - Wednesday 09 November 2011 - www.atraircraft.com

Photo: Caribbean Airlines new ATR 72-600 (atraircraft.com)

(15.11.2011)