The Italian-French group ATR (Avions de Transport Regional), participated by Alenia Aermacchi, and the Malaysian national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, have signed a contract for the purchase by the Asian airline of 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft, with the option of an additional 16. The contract is worth more than US$840 million, options included.
Malaysia Airlines thus brings the number of ATR 42s purchased from 72 to today to 2007. Malaysia Airlines' fleet currently has 22 ATR 72-500s, operated by its subsidiaries Firefly (12) and Maswings (10), both of which are booming. The introduction of these new aircraft, which are the first ATR-600s to be selected for the Malaysian regional market, will consolidate the position of Firefly and Maswings in the reference market, confirming Malaysia Airlines as one of the largest ATR operators in Asia . Deliveries will start from the middle of this year.
Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi, commented on the order as follows: «2013 starts very well for ATR, a company of which we are 50% shareholders, just as 2012 ended, which recorded record results. ATR is the demonstration that the synergy between European industries is able to create top-of-the-range products and systems from a technological point of view and world bestsellers». Malaysia Airlines, a new member of the Oneworld alliance, flies to Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and the West Coast of the United States.
