Aircraft leasing company Avation has signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of five additional ATR72 aircraft, which will expand its ATR72 fleet to 13.

In addition, the contract includes an option for a further eight ATR72 aircraft.

The existing fleet is on a ten-year wet lease to Australian carrier Skywest Airlines, which will operate the aircraft in Virgin Australia colours.

Avation said it has achieved price protection on all of the additional aircraft.