On May 25, ATR signed a partnership with the Aeronautical & Space Institute of Toulouse, and the Council and the Aerospace School of Blagnac (near Toulouse) to set up an educational programme in France aimed at training a number of selected Tanzanian students in certified aeronautical maintenance engineering.

This agreement follows the signature, last year, of a MoU between ATR and the Tanzanian carrier Precision Air Services. Each year, over the coming three years, some Tanzanian students from the Daar es Salam Institute of Technology (DIT) will have the opportunity to integrate this educational programme. The students will live in Blagnac and study at the Aerospace School.

According to this partnership, the first students will arrive in France in July 2007 for a one year period, including courses and internships. Under evaluation is the opportunity that some of next year's students will continue for a longer period of study to a higher academic level. The agreement is also open to further educational projects such as the assistance in the creation of a local capacity to reproduce this educational programme in Tanzania.

Commenting on this partnership, Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, underlined "The importance of improving the knowledge and the performances of the aeronautical maintenance staff in Tanzania as a major way to strengthen the air connectivity. And, also, to contribute to enhance both the economic and human ties across the country and, at the same time contributing via this project to Sustainable Development."

Bernard Keller, Blagnac Mayor, stated: "Thanks to this cooperation, we are giving the opportunity to several Tanzanian students to develop their skills in a main aeronautical region of the world. For us it is an honor to participate in the transfer of such important knowledge and experience into Tanzania."

Michel Reynes, Director of the Aeronautical & Space Institute of Toulouse, declared: "The improvement of the technical skills of the maintenance staff will play a major role in the development of the air connexions within Africa. This is also very important in terms of the commercial perspectives of aircraft manufacturers on that continent."

"We are very happy with the confidence that both ATR and Precision Air Services have in the quality and of the courses that the students will receive in our school," declared Jean-Paul Ginestet, Director of the Aerospace School of Blagnac.

In August 2006, Precision Air Services ordered 6 new ATR aircraft (3 ATR 42-500s and 3 ATR 72-500s) valuated at US$97 million to update and modernize its current fleet of 6 ATRs (4 ATR 42-320 and 2 ATR 72-210) as well as to open new regional routes across Africa.

Photograph: In the picture, from left to right: Michel Reynes, Director of the Aeronautical & Space Institute of Toulouse, Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, Bernard Keller, Mayor of Blagnac City, Jean-Paul Ginestet Director of the Aerospace School of Blagnac.