Air Madagascar Orders Three More ATR 72-600s

Air Madagascar has signed a deal for three ATR 72-600s worth a total of approximately US$77 million.

The first of these three aircraft will be delivered in 2017.

The airline also recently signed an agreement with the Irish leasing company Elix Aviation Capital to add two new ATR 72-600s, the first having been delivered this week and the second being delivered next month.

The arrival of these five ATRs of the latest generation will enable Air Madagascar to renew its fleet of ATRs, which currently consists of one ATR 42-500 and two ATR 72-500s, significantly increasing seat capacity on the main domestic routes.

Air Madagascar is a long-time customer of ATR. It introduced its first ATR, an ATR 42-300, in 1996 and has operated the ATR -500 series since 2005.

Henry Rabary-Njaka, Chairman of the Board of Air Madagascar, said he was “very pleased to be among the first African operators to fly the new ATR -600 series. These aircraft have become a veritable benchmark for regional airlines around the world. The performance of the ATR 72-600s notably on short and unprepared runways, along with their strong reliability, make these aircraft a real asset in the expansion of our regional transportation network. In addition, their low operating costs will allow us to offer the most attractive airfares. The new ATR -600 series are also at the forefront of technology in terms of comfort, and we are pleased to offer these new standards in modernity to our passengers. In the long term, we will increase our fleet of latest generation ATRs up to seven aircraft.”

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68 to 74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum takeoff power: 2750 HP per engine
Maximum takeoff weight: 23,000 kg
Maximum load: 7,500 kg
Maximum range with full load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)