On March 27, ATR and Canary Islands-based Islas Airways announced the signature of a contract for 6 new ATR 72-500s for a total value of around US$110 million. For the first time the airline is adding new "-500 series" ATR aircraft to its fleet, currently composed of 1 ATR 42-300 and 4 ATR 72-200s. The deal has been inked in the Canary Islands by Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, and Miguel Concepcion Caceres, Islas Airways CEO.

These six aircraft, configured with 70 seats, will be equipped with the new "Elegance Cabin", Light Emitting Diode (LED) and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools. The airline will take delivery of two aircraft in 2007, two in 2008 and two in 2009.

Islas Airways has decided to renew its fleet with new generation ATRs in order to benefit from the many advantages of these aircraft and provide better capacity and frequency in the main routes within the islands of the archipelago.

Filippo Bagnato, stated: "We are happy to receive this new proof of confidence from an airline that operates exclusively ATR aircraft. Thus, we reinforce our strong presence in the Canary Islands with state-of-the-art aircraft, whose performance, high standards of comfort and lowest operational costs are so recognised and appreciated."

Miguel Concepcion Caceres declared: "We are very satisfied with the operation of ATR aircraft. For years, ATR has proven itself to be perfectly adapted to the interisland operations in the Canary Islands. Today's signature will allow us to open new routes and increase some frequencies. Thanks to these new generation aircraft we will be able to offer to our clients the highest standards of comfort and environmental care."

ATR has sold 861 new aircraft (402 ATR 42s and 459 ATR 72s) since the beginning of the programme, some of them not yet unveiled.