UTair and ATR sign contract for 20 ATR 72-500s
The deal consolidates ATR's growing presence in Russia and the CIS countries
The Russian carrier UTair and regional turboprop manufacturer ATR today announced the signature of a contract for the purchase of 20 ATR 72-500s. The announcement of the deal, valued at US $ 426 million, took place in Kiev.
With the entry into service of these new aircraft, UTair will respond to the increasing market demand for regional connectivity in Russia and also in Ukraine.
The airline will add seat capacity on existing routes and will develop new routes in both countries. UTair operates a fleet of 17 ATRs: 12 ATR 42-300s and 3 ATR 72- 200s in Russia, plus 2 ATR 42-300s operated by its subsidiary UTair Ukraine. With the delivery of the new 20 ATR 72-500s, UTair will become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in Europe, with 37 ATRs.
The delivery of these new aircraft will bring to more than 50 the number of ATRs operated by Russian, Ukrainian and other CIS countries' carriers.
Commenting on the contract, Andrey Martirosov, UTair Chief Executive Officer, declares: "We are pleased to modernize and almost double our ATR fleet with the acquisition of these new ATR 72-500s.The ATR aircraft have proven themselves as the right tool for regional connections in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. These aircraft have notably proven their ability to operate reliably and profitably not only in the European environment but in the harsh Siberian conditions. Providing state-of-the-art comfort and a reliable service to our passengers at affordable fares are key factors of our choice for the ATR 72-500s'".
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declares: "We are honored by the confidence placed in our products by UTair, the biggest Russian domestic carrier. The Russian Federation and the CIS countries are providing us strong commercial opportunities as they expand their regional connectivity. Our aircraft are optimally positioned to face the increasing pressure on airlines' costs. The introduction of these new ATR 72-500s consolidate our leading position amongst Western regional aircraft manufacturers in Russia and the CIS countries"
About UTair
UTair is an integrated air transport and aircraft services company with 40 years of experience on the Russian air transport market.
UTair is focused on 3 strategic business segments: passenger transportation, helicopter operations and aviation services, including aircraft MRO, personnel training, airports management and catering services.
Today, UTair operates the largest aircraft fleet and ranks among the top four largest carriers of CIS and Baltic states by passenger volume.
UTair is the Russian market leader in helicopter services and is among the world four largest helicopter companies. http://www.utair.ru/en/
About ATR
Formed in 1981, ATR has grown to become the world's leading manufacturer of advanced 50 to 74 seat regional turboprop aircraft, has sold more than 1000 aircraft and has 165 operators in 90 countries.
ATR operators have cumulated more than 20 million flights. ATR is a joint venture and equal partnership between major European aerospace companies Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. Its headquarters are in Toulouse, France.
ATR is certified ISO 14001, the worldwide standard for environmental management and sustainability.
For more information, visit www.atraircraft.com
http://www.atraircraft.com/newsroom/press-releases-details-1139-en.html
