The European manufacturer of turboprop aircraft ATR and the Caribbean carrier LIAT have announced the signature of a Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) for the airline’s new fleet of ATR -600 aircraft. Signed for an initial period of 10 years, the contract will cover the four ATR 42-600s and four ATR 72-600s that will be operated by the airline in the near future. LIAT has already started introducing its new ATR -600s into its fleet.

As set out in this GMA, ATR will manage all aspects of maintenance and repair for some equipment for the airline’s ATR ‘-600’ fleet. This equipment includes LRUs (Line Replaceable Units), propeller blades and landing gears. By entering into the agreement, ATR guarantees LIAT the permanent availability of these spare parts from its logistics center in Miami. The airline will also benefit from ATR’s expertise for all of its maintenance procedures.

Close to 300 ATRs currently in operation are covered by GMAs with ATR. This represents nearly a third of ATR’s total operational fleet.

Ian Brunton, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, stated: “We consider the global maintenance agreement as a key part of the partnership we are deploying with ATR for our growth as a key regional carrier in the Caribbean. We want a leading fleet of aircraft, not only in terms of passengers comfort, but also about maintenance and operating performance.” He added: “We are pleased to expand our business with the new ATR -600s, which are clearly becoming a preferred option regional air connectivity in the Caribbean and in Latin America”.

Lilian Braylé, ATR Product Support and Services Director, stated: “We are pleased to have been selected by LIAT for the management of their maintenance activities. By signing this GMA, the airline will clearly benefit from our experience and know-how and will have the opportunity of having us as a single channel for all their maintenance requirements. Also, they will benefit from spare parts guaranteed availability, thus contributing to optimally start their operations with ATR ‘-600s’ and to expand their regional network”.