ATR 72-600 aircraft

General Electric’s commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has ordered two additional ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft with the Alenia and EADS joint venture company ATR.

The follow-on order includes two options, increasing the total number of ATR orders to 17 aircraft with 17 options.

GECAS regional aircraft programme senior vice-president Todd Freeman said about half of all commercial air routes are less than 500nm and turboprops like the ATR 72-600 perform very well on these stage lengths, especially when fuel costs are high.

"This adjustment to our earlier order gives us additional product to meet the forecasted demand," Freeman added.

The new ATR-72/600 features a Pratt & Whitney 127M engine, is capable of ranges of approximately 899nm and can seat 68-74 passengers.

ATR’s new 600 series is equipped with a new avionics suite and a high standard of commonality with ATR’s current products, offering improved performance and passenger comfort.

ATR chief executive officer Filippo Bagnato said: "ATR 72-600 is optimally suited for short-haul operations, combining lowest operating costs with optimal fuel efficiency and high standards of passenger comfort."

The new 600 series aircraft will join the company’s current fleet of over 1,750 owned and managed aircraft, including narrow body, wide body and regional planes.

GECAS is scheduled to take delivery of the ATR 72-600s in late 2012.

The company had leased its three new ATR 72-600s to Brazilian regional carrier TRIP Linhas Aéreas and had also entered an agreement with Jet Airways in India for a further five units.

Image: ATR 72-600 aircraft featuring a new avionics suite offer enhanced performance and passenger comfort. Photo: ATR