Air Lease Corporation Orders Seven More ATR 72-600s

Los Angeles-based lessor Air Lease Corporation has placed an order for seven additional ATR 72-600 turboprop regional airliners.

ATR and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced the order on July 15, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2014.

Regional-aircraft manufacturer ATR, a joint venture between Airbus Group and Alenia Aeronautica, obtained European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the ATR 72-600 version of its strong-selling ATR 72 turboprop on May 31, 2011. Ever since the aircraft was certificated, sales of the ATR 72-600 have been very strong, ATR accumulating sales of many hundreds of the model by 2014

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has purchased ATR 72-600 regional airliners every year since signing its first purchase contract at the Farnborough show in 2010.

The July 15 order will increase ALC’s portfolio of ATR 72-600s for leasing to 28 aircraft.

ATR turboprop regional airliners are now operated by over 180 carriers worldwide. This widespread adoption by regional airlines is thanks to their high reliability, comfort, and low operating costs for airlines, according to the manufacturer.

“We are experiencing success placing our ATR 72-600s with operators expanding regional air connectivity and short segment routes all over the world,” says Steven Udvar-Házy, chairman and chief executive officer of Air Lease Corporation.

“With its compelling operating costs and modern cabin interior designs, we believe demand for this aircraft will continue to increase,” adds Udvar-Házy.

The ATR 72-600 has a passenger capacity of 68 to 74 seats, depending on the cabin configuration and seat pitch the operator chooses to use. Its maximum flight range when fully loaded is 900 nautical miles (1,665 kilometers).