Air Caledonie to order 3 ATR 500-series aircraft

Air Caledonie has selected the new-generation ATR aircraft to renew its fleet. The intention for a mix of 3 new ATR 42-500/ATR 72-500 aircraft was unveiled on the occasion of a press conference held on the first day of the Paris Air Show, Monday.

Nidoïsh Naisseline, President and CEO of Air Caledonie said, “We have chosen ATR for the high quality standard, reliability, low operating costs and high degree of commonality between the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. By adding also the ATR 72-500s to our fleet, we will increase the capacity on feeder routes and have better flexibility to satisfy our increase in passenger and freight traffic, on specific routes.”

The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2006 and 2007. Equipped with the new 'Elegance' cabin, the aircraft will be delivered with the Multi-Purpose Computer (MPC), the newest technological innovations in the field navigation aid tools.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, commented, “I’m delighted with this new intention from Air Caledonie. These aircraft are a key-element for the development of Air Caledonie’s regional network, since they are well adapted to island hopping.”

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