ATR and the Canary Islands airline NAYSA today announced the signature of a contract for 2 additional new ATR 72-500s for a total value of US $ 36 million. ATR and NAYSA previously signed an agreement for 4 new ATR 72-500 in September 2006.  These two aircraft, configured with 72 seats, will be delivered in 2007 and will be equipped with the new “Elegance Cabin”, with Light Emitting Diode (LED) and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools.

Commenting on the sale, Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, said: “We are really happy to strengthen our partnership and our ties with NAYSA, as well as with the group Apoyo y Logistica Industrial Canarias. The ATR aircraft, with its unbeatable economics, its high standards of comfort as well as with its lowest level of pollutant emissions, are fully adapted to the needs of the interisland operators and the ATR 72-500 has been very successful for many years in the Canary Islands.”

Manuel Alvarez, General Manager of NAYSA, stated: “We are fully confident in the quality and the performance of the ATR aircraft, which represents the optimal choice for our interisland operations. The ATR 72 has proven itself over many years of successful operations in the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the latest generation of ATR aircraft will allow us to fly with environment friendly aircraft characterized by the lowest operating costs and provide jet-like comfort to our passengers. These were key points in our decision to add more new ATR 72-500 to our fleet.”

NAYSA is currently operating Beech 1900 aircraft. With its new fleet of ATR 72-500, NAYSA will develop its already existing commercial agreement with Binter Canarias on some interisland connexions.

ATR has sold 839 new aircraft (401 ATR 42 and 438 ATR 72) since the beginning of the programme.

About NAYSA
NAYSA (Canarian Navigation and Aerial Services) was founded in 1969 under the name of Aereal News, and is the oldest private airline in Spain. During its first two decades, the carrier commercialized its aircraft fleet between national and foreign cosignatories and shipbuilders, with contracts for the transportation of personnel, spare parts, supplies and logistical support. Between 1991 and 1998, the airline increased its promotion of cargo services in order to face the hard times that commercial aviation was undergoing after the Gulf War. The accumulated experience of almost 30 years of service in the Canary Islands, the detailed and exhaustive knowledge of the market and the more than 48,000 accumulated flying hours were some of the initial arguments of the entrance of NAYSA in the regular transportation of travellers in 1998. At the moment, NAYSA has agreements with Binter Canarias to operate in Wet Lease regimes and routes of low density. In addition, it continues with its operations of aero taxis, ambulance flights and crew transfers of companies as well as with its cargo operations.

The –500 series: New Generation aircraft
With its ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, ATR supplies state-of-the-art aircraft with jet-like comfort. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low noise levels. Low fuel burn and gaseous emissions position ATR as the “green player” of the regional market. All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations, effective 1st January 2006.

About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. In 2006, ATR posted a turnover of US $ 700 million, an increase of 30% compared to 2005.  ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR is certified ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q 9001:2000 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100, the worldwide quality standard in the field of aeronautics.

Source: Avions de Transport Regional (ATR)
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