ATR 42-600

Caribbean carrier Leeward Islands Air Transport Services (LIAT) has placed a $100m firm order with European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR for three ATR 42-600s, with an option for two additional ATR 72-600 aeroplanes.

LIAT will use the new jetliners from ATR, as well as additional ATR-600s from leasing companies to replace its ageing turboprop aircraft fleet.

Currently, the carrier operates a fleet of 14 airplanes across its network, which includes main hubs at Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad, and destinations in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Marteen, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique St Lucia and St Vincent among others.

LIAT is expected to receive the first ATR 42-600 in June 2013.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, the ATR 42-600 twin-turboprop aircraft can accommodate up to 50 passengers and has a maximum range with a full passenger load of 1,300km.

"We are pleased to become a new member of the ATR family and to start operating aircraft, which have largely proven their efficiency and performances on the type of routes we propose."

ATR 72-600 aircraft features an avionics suite that is equipped with full-glass cockpit, Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, and has a capacity to accommodate up to 74 passengers and a maximum range at full passenger capacity of 1,665km.

LIAT chief executive officer Ian Brunton said that the aircraft of the modern fleet would feature the most advanced cabin interiors and standards of comfort, while being respectful of the environment.

"We are pleased to become a new member of the ATR family and to start operating aircraft, which have largely proven their efficiency and performances on the type of routes we propose," Brunton said.

ATR stated that the deal with LIAT indicates that the ATR 42 and ATR 72 jet family is the preferred option for inter-island operations across the world due to their economic performance on shorter routes and ability to operate into small, short airfields.

LIAT will benefit from the very low operating and maintenance costs offered by the ATR -600 series aeroplanes, according to ATR.

ATR chief executive officer Filippo Bagnato said the ATR-600 series aircraft perfectly matched the requirements of the airlines operating inter-island flights.

"Their outstanding performance and reliability on this type of routes clearly explains their success in recent years in the Caribbean region, where we have sold new ATR-600s to a number of airlines," Bagnato added.

Image: Caribbean’s LIAT is expected to receive its first ATR 42-600 in June 2013. Photo: courtesy of ATR Aircraft.