Today at the Farnborough Airshow, the European regional aircraft manufacturer ATR and the Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) signed a contract for the purchase of an ATR 42-600, the first new ATR42-600 that NAC have taken. This contract along with the 12 new ATR 72-600s and ATR 72-500s already ordered by NAC highlight the strong interest of leasing companies in the ATR aircraft family.

Leasing companies represent almost 20% of the total ATR sales within the last couple of years.Today, some 160 ATR aircraft in operation around the world are owned by leasing companies.

Commenting on the deal, Martin Møller, Chairman of Nordic Aviation Capital, declared: “We have been marketing ATR aircraft for many years now and we and our customers are very satisfied with the low aircraft operating costs, profit potential and residual values that these aircraft have offered and now will continue to offer with the new 600 series models. The acquisition of the new ATR 42-600 aircraft completes our line-up of availability of the full ATR model range and we hope to continue to grow our portfolio with further acquisitions of this the most modern of 50-seat turboprop aircraft”.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “This deal with Nordic Aviation Capital underlines the interest of our 50-seat ATR 42-600 for regional operations. Wes strongly believe in the high potential of this aircraft, particularly in markets where regional jets have become unprofitable, as well as to replace former 50-seat turboprops and upgrade capacity in growing 30-seat markets. With the continuous expansion of our portfolio of operators, leasing companies have the opportunity of further developing business opportunities. We are pleased that such a long-term partner as NAC is now introducing the new ATR 42-600, as they are now able to propose to their customers the many advantages of the whole ATR -600 series family”.

ATR press release