South-America’s Synergy Aerospace has finalised a deal to purchase 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft, which will be used by the company’s new Argentinan subsidiary Avian Líneas Aéreas (Avianca Argentina) under a license agreement.

The deal includes an option for six additional ATR 72-600s and will introduce the ATR -600 series of aircraft in the Argentinian market.  Financial details have not been disclosed.

Equipped with 72 seats and Pratt & Whitney engines, the ATR 72-600 aircraft provide better fuel and eco-efficiency than their counterparts.

"We are looking forward to expanding services and linking under-served communities in Argentina."

First delivery of the order is scheduled by the end of this year, with plans to enter service by the first quarter of next year.

All the newly ordered ATR 72-600s are expected to enter service by January 2018.

Avianca Argentina will operate the aircraft in regional routes to and from its hubs in Buenos Aires and Córdoba.  

Synergy Aerospace chairman Germán Efromovich said: “We are looking forward to expanding services and linking under-served communities in Argentina, thanks not only to a highly efficient and modern ATR 72-600 fleet, but also the technical and logistic support of ATR/Airbus stemming from a traditional strong partnership, as well as to broaden and deepen Avianca’s network in South America.”

In 2012, Synergy Aerospace subsidiary Avianca Holdings bought 15 ATR 72-600 planes, which are currently being operated by Avianca in Colombia and Central America.

ATR has so far delivered around 160 aircraft for nearly 30 airlines operating in Latin America and the Caribbean.