On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, ATR unveiled orders for 13 new ATR 72-500 aircraft that will be operated by the Indian carrier Jet Airways on June 20. Agreement for six of these ATR72-500s has been concluded directly with the Irish-based leasing company AIR (Aircraft International Renting), a subsidiary of TAT leasing. In order to reserve aircraft delivery positions, Jet Airways has concluded purchase agreements for the remaining seven aircraft. Prior to delivery, Jet Airways intends to conclude lease agreements for these aircraft also. The total value of the two contracts is approximately US$238 million. The inductions of all these 13 new aircraft are subject to the requisite approvals.

These 13 aircraft will be equipped with the newest technological innovations in passenger comfort, communications and navigation aid tools. Deliveries will start in 2007 and will continue through 2010.

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 8 ATR 72-500s. In the near future, its growing ATR fleet will enable the airline to open new routes and increase some frequencies across the Indian subcontinent.

Commenting on the announcement, Rodolphe Marchais, Chairman and CEO of TAT Group (the shareholder of AIR) stated: "The ATR aircraft represent the optimal solution for the increasing demands of the domestic flights in India. The reliability, comfort and unbeatable economics of the ATRs are well known in India. The aircraft has really proven itself as the standard for regional airline transport in India as is evidenced by the strong commercial success of ATR in the country. We are pleased to continue and reinforce our fruitful relationship with Jet Airways started 8 years ago."

Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways, underlined that "From the beginning of our ATR operations in 1999, the fleet of leased ATR 72-500s has proved itself and has played an important role in the growth of our airline's regional domestic operations and the expansion of our internal routes. For our regional routes, this growth will be supported by ATRs."

Stephane Mayer, ATR CEO, declared " Our strong success in India, with almost 100% of the turboprop market share, is related to the successful and proven performance of our aircraft. Also, it is related to the flexibility of the aircraft that allows operation to all types of airports. Thus, the ATR aircraft are playing a main role in the economic and human development of several Indian regions." He added: "We are satisfied that Jet Airways is confirming its confidence in ATR for the development of the routes across the country."

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.

Photograph: From left to right: Filippo Bagnato, Chairman of the Board ATR; Rodolphe Marchais, Chairman and CEO of TAT Group (the shareholder of AIR); Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways and Stephane Mayer, new ATR CEO.