Alliance Air, former subsidiary of Air India (which has now been privatised), has placed an order for 2 ATR42-600 aircraft to operate flights to airports in Himalayas.
Alliance Air, the only Indian public airline, has signed a deal to acquire 2 ATR 42-600s via lessor TrueNoord. The airline, which already operates 18 ATR 72-600, has chosen to complement its fleet with brand new ATR 42s as their unique credentials, both in terms of versatility and economics.
The regional airline will use these aircraft to fly to challenging airports in the Himalayas. The aircraft will be able to operate on the short runways of the Shimla and Kullu airports, both located at high altitudes, and exposed to high temperatures.
Vineet Sood, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Air, said:
Our relationship with ATR started 20 years ago, and ever since we have been building a network that truly serves Indian communities, delivering comfortable, reliable and affordable air services. Thanks to the unique features of the ATR 42-600, Alliance Air will proudly fulfill the mission assigned by the Indian government to make the most inaccessible regions accessible.
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Stefano Bortoli, CEO, ATR, said:
Renewed confidence from a historical customer is the best recognition of the efforts we are making every day to remain at the higher edge of technology whilst providing concrete solutions to operate the aircraft with the most sustainable business model. The fact that we will deliver the aircraft by the middle of this year is testament both to the recovery of the Indian domestic market and the essential need for affordable and reliable connectivity throughout the country.
ATR states that the “high commonality between the ATR 72 and 42 will help make the introduction of this new aircraft type seamless”. The first ATR42-600 will be delivered to Alliance Air in mid-2022.
In 2021, 40 new routes were created in India with ATR aircraft.
Carst Lindeboom, Sales Director – Asia Pacific at TrueNoord, said:
We are proud to be a strategic partner in enabling vital and essential connections to be made throughout India. With this new acquisition, we are firmly establishing the whole ATR family as a cornerstone of our portfolio of modern regional aircraft, and demonstrating our confidence in their long-term value.
Featured image by ATR
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