On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, Nigerian carrier Afrijet Airlines and ATR today signed a contract for the purchase of 4 ATR 72-500 aircraft. The deal is valued US $ 80 million, and follows a HoA (Heads of Agreement) inked last month on the occasion of the official visit to Nigeria of the French Prime Minister, Mr. François Fillon, and in the presence of the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba.

With the signature for these 68-seat aircraft, Afrijet becomes a new ATR customer and the third to operate ATRs in Nigeria. Almost 70 ATRs are operated today in Africa by 23 airlines. These PW 127M powered ATR 72-500s will feature the ATR’s Elegance Cabin and In-Flight Entertainment. With its brand new fleet of ATR 72-500 aircraft, Afrijet Airlines will reinforce its domestic network and expand its regional operations to the surrounding area.

Commenting on this contract signing, Captain William Berry Noelle, Managing Director of Afrijet Airlines, noted: “These new ATR 72-500s will allow us to introduce the most modern regional aircraft into our fleet and to propose to our passengers state-of-the-art standards of comfort. We have chosen the ATRs because we have full confidence in their performances in the hot and demanding African environment.” He added: “The ATRs are well-reputed by their high dispatch reliability, over 99.5%, and because of their suitability to reach optimal profitability in the regional routes. The ATRs are definitely very popular in the African skies.”

Stéphane Mayer, ATR Chief Executive Officer, noted: “We are delighted that Afrijet Airlines has chosen the ATRs to introduce turboprop aircraft into their fleet. The ATRs represent the optimal solution for the expansion of the regional network planned by the airline. Thanks to their most modern PW 127M engine technologies, these ATRs benefit from the lowest fuel consumption among the regional aircraft.” He added: “Due to the expected increase of the fuel prices in the coming years, the choice of the turboprop technologies for domestic and regional networks is more justified than ever”. He concluded: “We are pleased to associate our success in Africa with the development of the business and tourism across the continent.”

Source: EADS