Ireland’s regional airline Aer Arann has agreed to extend its global maintenance agreement (GMA) with European aircraft manufacturer ATR, for five more years.

The original agreement was signed in 2007 with the introduction of the first ATR 72-500, and covers the carrier’s aircraft fleet of eight ATR 72-600s and two ATR 72-500s.

The GMA includes the complete maintenance of the ATR aircraft, repair and overhaul of line replaceable units (LRUs), parts provision, propellers and airframe maintenance and landing gear overhaul.

"The GMA includes the complete maintenance of the ATR aircraft."

Aer Arann interim chief executive officer Seán Brogan said: "We look forward to further growing this important relationship with ATR in the years to come, and welcoming our passengers aboard."

Commenting on the extension of the contract, ATR product support and services senior vice-president Lilian Braylé said: "This contract renewal again demonstrates our ability to provide customised maintenance solutions to our operators. We are proud of the competitiveness of ATR’s aircraft maintenance offer, the GMA, in the European market."

In 2012, the Irish airline agreed to introduce eight new generation ATR 72-600 aircraft, with deliveries set for June 2014.

Following this purchase, Aer Arann also launched two new routes between Dublin – Newcastle and Shannon – Bristol, as well as increased frequencies to Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow from Dublin and Manchester and Birmingham from Cork and Shannon, Brogan said.

Defence Technology