On the occasion of the Aero India Airshow 2007, ATR and the Indian carrier Air Deccan announced the opening of a new joint Training Center in Bangalore in order to prepare future pilots for the ATR fleet of the airline. This center counts a Full Flight Trainer (FFT), the latest generation of flight simulators, developed jointly by ATR and Canada-based Mechtronix.

By opening this new training center, which in the future will also be available for training other Indian carriers' pilots, ATR reinforces its presence in India as well as its aim of proximity towards its customers. From 2005, Air Deccan has booked orders for 36 ATRs, including 30 new ATR 72-500s.

Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, stated: "India is one of the fastest growing markets and we have a lot of clients here. The rationale for the joint investment in the ATR training facility originated on the basis of the multiple orders for ATR aircraft from airlines in India. The idea was to understand the needs of all our airline customers and invest accordingly to help the pace of aviation growth in India. The opening of a joint Training Center with Air Deccan, one of our largest clients in India follows the ATR path of continuous improvement of our quality service. An emerging market as India has to prepare high-qualified pilots to keep pace with the exponential growth. It is an honour for ATR to co-operate in this ambitious project, directly in India and close to Air Deccan."

For Captain G. R. Gopinath, Air Deccan's Managing Director, "This joint venture represents a milestone of Air Deccan's partnership with ATR". He added: "With the full flight trainer we will be able to provide refresher training to our pilots within India. This complements Air Deccan's aim of giving to our passengers the highest standards of performance and quality service as also creating a self sufficient aviation environment in the country."

Photograph: Filippo Bagnato - ATR CEO, and Captain G. R. Gopinath - Air Deccan's Managing Director (from left to right).