TRIP Linhas Aéreas, the south American leader in regional aviation just announced the acquisition of 18 new ATR 72-600, plus options for 22 additional ones.

9 ATR 72-600 will be directly ordered to the French-Italian manufacturer. In addition to this contract with ATR, TRIP will lease 9 ATR 72-600 with the lessors ALC (Air Lease Corporation) and GECAS. The first aircraft of this new model -600 will enter into service in October this year.

With the entry into service of the 18 firm ATR 72-600s, TRIP will become the largest ATR operator in the world, with a fleet of 51 ATRs. Today's largest ATR fleet, 39 aircraft, is operated in the U.S. by American Eagle.

The aircraft will be equipped with the newest technological developments of the ATR -600 series aircraft, including a new "glass cockpit" avionics suite and redesigned cabin interiors. The new ATR -600 series "Armonia" cabin, is equipped with thinner and lighter seats, and larger overhead bins. It will be configured for 68 passengers.

These 18 ATR 72-600 will enable TRIP Linhas Aéreas to expand its domestic network to new destinations, as well as to add seat capacity and more frequencies in routes where demand is growing. The performance of these aircraft on short runways will allow the access to the most restricted airports in Brazil.

This new acquisition consolidates the pioneer and innovative choice of a mix fleet of ATR turboprops and Embraer regional jets.

Commenting the signature of these acquisitions, José Mario Caprioli Dos Santos, Chief Executive Officer of TRIP Linhas Aéreas, declared: "We have been successfully operating several types of ATRs for more than a decade. Purchasing ATR -600s is then a logical continuity in our partnership with ATR. We will be glad to introduce the newest improvements of these aircraft into our fleet, and to enhance and expand our air service offer with even higher standards of performance and comfort, as expected by the growing Brazilian market. We are also proud to become the largest ATR operator around the world."

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said: "Brazil is providing us huge commercial opportunities as airlines want to expand their regional networks with the most fuel efficient and environmental-friendly aircraft. We are proud that our aircraft are really becoming very popular aircraft across the country. There is some 50 already flying, while some other 40 aircraft will join in the next three years. We are convinced that the introduction in Brazil of the new ATR -600s, which are now the new worldwide reference of modernity in regional aviation, will contribute to expand and consolidate the popularity of our aircraft in the country".

About TRIP Linhas Aéreas:

After more than 13 years of activity in Brasil, TRIP is the largest regional airline in South America in terms of cities served and of regional fleet. The company is controlled by the Caprioli and Águia Branca groups, both of which are traditional passenger carriers, have histories of solid results, and sustained growth. One of TRIP's investors, with a 20% share of its capital, is the U.S.'s SkyWest, Inc. that, with more than 700 aircraft, is the biggest regional airline in the world.

With a turnover of MR$747 in 2010 and a number of 3000 direct employees, TRIP served 85 cities transporting about 5 million passengers with a fleet of 47 regional aircraft.

About ATR

Founded in 1981, ATR has become the leading manufacturer worldwide on the 50-to-74-seat regional turboprop aircraft market. Since the start of the program, ATR has sold more than 1,100 aircraft, operated by 175 airlines in 94 countries. ATR aircraft have accumulated more than 21 million flight hours. ATR, which has its headquarters in Toulouse, is an equal-share joint venture between two major players in the European aviation market, Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. ATR holds ISO 14001 certification, the global benchmark for environmental management and sustainable development.

Contributed by ATR