Malaysian-based Berjaya Air (an indirect subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation) signed a US$74 million agreement with ATR for 4 new ATR 72-500 aircraft. The deal was announced at the Paris Air Show by Tan Sri Dato' Seri Vincent Tan, Berjaya Corporation Chairman and CEO and Stephane Mayer, who on June 1 succeeded Filippo Bagnato as ATR CEO.

With this order Berjaya Corporation becomes a new ATR customer. These 4 new ATR 72-500s will be delivered in 2009 and 2010 in a 72-seat configuration and equipped with the new "Elegance Cabin" and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools.

The new ATR 72-500 aircraft will replace Berjaya Air's existing fleet of 48-seater Dash 7 aircraft and would subsequently help to improve Berjaya Air's financial performance in terms of lower maintenance cost and increase in seating capacity. In addition, the new aircraft will allow Berjaya Air to expand its reach to other parts of the Asean region.

Commenting on the order of the new ATR 72-500 aircraft, Chairman and CEO of Berjaya Corporation, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Vincent Tan said: "These new aircraft will enable Berjaya Air to offer faster and quieter flights to its tourist destinations of Redang Island, Koh Samui and later on to Tioman Island, as well as to increase its passenger capacity and number of flights. It will also enable Berjaya Air to operate more economically and therefore lower its air fares."

Stephane Mayer and Filippo Bagnato, stated: "We warmly thank Berjaya Corporation for the confidence it has shown to ATR with this first order for ATR aircraft. With the introduction of the latest generation of ATR aircraft in their fleet, the airline can achieve the highest standards of services and performance with unbeatable economics and comfort. Furthermore, the aircraft is environment friendly, which is an important consideration for airlines today."

ATR is moreover seeking to build a long-term strategic partnership with Malaysia, given its high quality airline industry and significant potential for growth in the regional market. ATR sees a requirement for up to 100 ATR42/72-500 in the BIMP-EAGA markets (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines) to mostly serve the rural areas and tourist destinations.

Since the beginning of the year, ATR has received orders for 53 new aircraft, some of them not yet unveiled. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 890 aircraft (416 ATR 42s and 474 ATR 72s) and has delivered 727 (393 ATR 42s and 334 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 163 aircraft.