Le Bourget, 18 June 2013

Nordic Aviation Capital places a landmark order for 90 ATR -600s

The total value of the agreement amounts to over 2.1 billion dollars and includes orders for 35 firm aircraft

The European turboprop manufacturer ATR and the Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) signed a historic agreement today for the sale of 90 ATR -600s, including 35 firm orders (30 ATR 72-600s and 5 ATR 42-600s). The contract, including options, amounts to over US$ 2.1 billion.

NAC, which has signed several orders for new ATRs over the past three years, already has the largest fleet of ATRs in the world with over hundred aircraft. With the progressive arrival of the 30 additional ATR 72-600s and 5 ATR 42-600s into its fleet, NAC's ATR portfolio will exceed 150 aircraft by 2016.

Martin Møller, Chairman of NAC, said: "We have made ATR turboprops one of the main pillars of our present and future development. We believe that regional aviation in the years to come will increasingly rely on this outstanding technology, and that ATR aircraft will continue to see great success with airlines operating in this segment. The 180 airlines operating ATRs around the world represent so many opportunities for us to grow our business." He added: "Our experience as lessors confirms the strong demand for ATRs with regional airlines. Their very low operating costs and high reliability are the major drivers for ensuring profitability, both for airlines and for ourselves."

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said: "This is a landmark order for ATR and our new generation aircraft as well as for this dynamic leasing company. It is a validation of the desirability of our aircraft and recognition of their high residual value”. He added "NAC's order is indisputable proof of a return to the future for propeller aircraft and the market confidence in our product."

In the past three years, nearly one in four ATRs were sold to leasing companies. NAC has been at the forefront of this development due to their unique focus and expertise on turboprop aircraft. NAC believes that turboprop' aircraft will become the key element for the development of regional aviation and with this order they cement their position as the leading lessor of turboprop aircraft.

About the ATR 72-600:
Passenger capacity: 68 to 74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum take-off power: 2,750 horsepower per engine
Maximum take-off weight: 23,000 kg
Maximum load: 7,500 kg
Maximum flight range at maximum load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)

About the ATR 42-600:
Passenger capacity: 46 to 50 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum take-off power: 2,160 horsepower per engine
Maximum take-off weight: 18,600 kg
Maximum load: 5,500 kg
Maximum flight range at maximum load: 800 nautical miles (1,300 km)

About Nordic Aviation Capital:
Founded in 1990 in Denmark, Nordic Aviation Capital is headquartered in Billund (Denmark). NAC is the global leader in turboprop leasing and finance with over 180 aircraft and 35 customers worldwide. The company has regional offices in Ireland, Canada and Singapore which supply aircraft to top tier carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, US Airways, Garuda, Avianca, Flybe, Azul and Air Berlin. For additional information, log on to www.nac.dk

About ATR:
Founded in 1981, ATR has become the world leader on the market for regional aircraft with 90 seats or less. Since its creation, ATR has sold over 1,300 aircraft. ATR planes are represented in the fleets of 180 operators in 90 countries and have totaled over 21 million flight hours. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Group company) and EADS. Its head office is in Toulouse. ATR is ISO 14001 certified. This is the international reference standard in the field of environmental friendliness.