Air Vanuatu to buy ATR

by Forbes

This 70-seat aircraft will be equipped with 120-minutes ETOPS (Extended Range Twin-engine Operations) capability, the 'Elegance' cabin, higher rated PW-127M engines, as well as state-of-the-art technological innovations in passenger comfort, communications and navigation aid tools. The aircraft will be delivered in 2009.

Since 2004, the airline has operated an ATR-42/300 for its principal domestic routes, linking the capital city Port Vila to the islands of Santo and Tanna, as well as regular flights to Nouméa, New Caledonia. With its new ATR-72/500, Air Vanuatu will be able to face the increasing demand on its regional network. Furthermore, the unique ETOPS 120 capability offered with the ATR-72/500 will enable Air Vanuatu to develop its international network with flights to the surrounding Islands such as Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

Since the beginning of the year, ATR has received orders for 88 new aircraft, some of them not yet unveiled. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 925 aircraft (414 ATR-42s and 511 ATR-72s) and has delivered 746 (396 ATR-42s and 350 ATR-72s), thus posting a current backlog of 179 aircraft.

Air Vanuatu is the nationally owned flag carrier of Vanuatu. It was formed in December 1987 and operates both Internationally to and from Vanuatu, and Domestically within Vanuatu.

Domestic and Regional growth has necessitated the need for a larger turboprop to allow the airline to grow and prosper". (Avionews)