On January 25, the Brazilian airline TRIP Linhas Aereas (Transportes Regionais do Interior Paulista) and ATR unveiled a contract for 7 new ATR 72-500 aircraft plus 5 options for ATR 72-500 signed on the 22nd December 2006 in Campinas (Brazil). The firm aircraft order, of a total value of US $125 million, has been inked between Jose Mario Caprioli Dos Santos, TRIP CEO, and Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO.

These 7 new ATR 72-500 will be equipped with the new "Elegance Cabin" and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools. TRIP has been an ATR operator for many years, but this is the first time the airline has signed for new ATR aircraft. This new order will allow the airline to increase its fleet size and capacity to meet growing passenger demand and to progressively renew its existing fleet, that currently includes 6 ATRs (5 ATR 42-320 and 1 ATR 72-200).

These ATR 72-500 will be delivered in a 68-seat configuration.

Commenting on this contract, Filippo Bagnato, declared: "After a partnership of eight years, we are happy to receive this confirmation of the confidence of TRIP in ATR for such an important renewal of its fleet. This deal represents a very important step forward to introduce our "-500 series" aircraft in Brazil, a regional market where we are already well established with a fleet of over 20 ATRs. With the introduction of the latest generation of aircraft, we give both to the airlines and to their passengers the highest standards of service, performance, unbeatable economics and comfort with an aircraft that is environment friendly."

Jose Mario Caprioli Dos Santos, stated: "The ATR aircraft are fully adapted to the needs and the characteristics of our regional market. To update and renew our fleet with ATR's new generation aircraft represents the optimal and logical choice in our aim of giving to our passengers the highest standards of service. In addition, with the choice of the ATR aircraft, we are pleased to contribute to the preservation of the Brazilian environment, with an aircraft that produces less harmful emissions than other forms of transportation."

Since January 2006 ATR has booked orders for a total of 63 (7 ATR 42-500 and 56 ATR 72-500) new aircraft worldwide (153 since January 2005), thus confirming the recovery of the turboprop market and the success of its products.

ATR has sold 837 new aircraft (401 ATR 42 and 436 ATR 72) since the beginning of the programme.