Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras today took delivery in Toulouse of the first ATR 72-600 regional turboprop aircraft to be delivered to a Latin American customer. Fast-growing carrier Azul has placed orders for a total of 30 ATR 72-600s, with options an additional 10 aircraft. Azul was founded in December 2008, and in less than three years has developed an extensive network of 40 destinations throughout Brazil. In addition to its ATR 72s, Azul operates a jet fleet of Embraer 190s and 195s. With the delivery of the aircraft today, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras becomes one of the first operators of the newest generation ATR aircraft.

With the introduction of its new fleet of ATR 72-600s, Azul will continue to support its growing national jet network with shorter haul regional routes. With its current fleet of 8 ATR 72s, Azul serves more cities within the economically vibrant state of Sao Paulo from its Campinas base than any other carrier.

Brazil has become in recent years a booming market for ATR, whose aircraft are optimally suited for the expansion of domestic short-haul routes due to their low operating and maintenance costs, up to 45% less than its competitors. The environmental friendliness of the ATRs, which produce up to 50% less CO2 than other regional aircraft, are also among the reasons for their popularity in Brazil. Today there are 50 ATR aircraft operating in Brazil, a figure expected to more than double within the next three years.

David Neeleman, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Azul, declared: “We are delighted to introduce the new ATR -600 series in Brazil and to be among the very first operators of the newest generation turboprops in the world. In addition to offering our passengers the highest standards of comfort, we are committed to making flying more accessible to Brazilian customers in terms of both frequency and cost. This aircraft fits this mission perfectly.”

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “With the new ATR 72-600s, the Brazilian regional passengers will have the opportunity of experiencing the new ‘Armonia cabin’, which features the most advanced technologies in terms of comfort, including larger overhead bins and thinner seats with more legroom. Brazil is a very dynamic market and we are convinced that the performance of the ATRs, coupled with the high levels of comfort proposed to passengers, will continue providing us expansion opportunities across the country and in the whole Latin America”.

About the ATR 72-600:

• Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
• Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
• Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
• Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
• Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
• Maximum range with full passenger load: 899 nautical miles (1,665 Km)

About Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras

Azul started operations in December 2008, first connecting the Brazilian cities of Campinas to Porto Alegre and Campinas to Salvador, with daily nonstop flights. Azul now connects 40 cities throughout Brazil, including Campinas, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Maringá, Navegantes, Florianópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande, Vitória, Salvador, Recife, Maceió, Fortaleza, Natal, Manaus, Goiânia, Porto Seguro, São Paulo, Cuiabá and, in August, Brasília. Azul also offers bus lines to other key points, taking its number of cities served to 46. Its fleet is the youngest in the country, composed of 10 Embraer 190, 22 Embraer 195 and 9 ATR 72s.

Source and photo: EADS