European Turboprop manufacturer ATR is pleased to announce that Trinidad and
Tobago’s flag carrier Caribbean Airlines has officially signed a contract for the
purchase of 9 ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at some US$ 200 million. The signature
of this deal, which follows a Memorandum of Understanding announced in 2010,
will enable the airline to become a new ATR operator. First deliveries will start in
October 2011.

The aircraft are configured with 68 seats and equipped with the new ATR -600
series avionics suite and with the new Armonia Cabin, which features new lighter
seats and larger overhead bins offering best-in-class in terms of comfort.
With its fleet of brand new ATR 72-600s, Caribbean Airlines will replace its current
fleet of 5 Dash-8 300 aircraft in its domestic routes, and add new frequencies
linking Trinidad and Tobago and surrounding destinations. In addition, some of the
new ATRs will be operated in the route network of Air Jamaica, -recently acquired
by Caribbean Airlines.

ATR has today more than 160 aircraft in operation and on order with nearly 30
airlines in the Caribbean and Latin American region.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declares: “In the last months we
have experienced a strong commercial success in the Americas, which has
represented almost 50% of our order intakes in 2010. The growing economies of
the region are strongly developing their regional connectivity. Our ATR aircraft are
optimally positioned to answer to their needs by providing unrivalled performances
on routes under 400 nautical miles, both in terms of operating costs and
environmental impact. Also, the ATR aircraft provide the right answer to the
increasing demands in terms of passenger comfort level”.

He concludes: “We are
really honored to include such an expanding and dynamic carrier as Caribbean
Airlines among the ATR operators list”.

Source: Alenia Aeronautia press release