Irish airline Aer Arann, operating regional air routes for Aer Lingus Regional, and the European regional aircraft manufacturer ATR have agreed to extend its existing Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) covering the airline’s fleet of eight ATR 72-600s and two ATR 72-500 aircraft for five more years. The original contract was signed in 2007 with the introduction of the first ATR 72-500. Since then ATR has enjoyed a long term strategic partnership with Aer Arann. The airline reiterated their confidence in 2012 by agreeing to introduce eight new generation ATR 72-600s, which deliveries started in June this year.

The GMA covers the complete maintenance of the ATR aircraft and includes services such as repair and overhaul of LRUs (Line Replaceable Units), parts provision, propellers and airframe maintenance and landing gear overhaul. Aer Arann will benefit from diverse pool supplies offering logistical and operational support to ensure the smooth running of its repairs.

“Aer Arann are delighted to extend our Global Maintenance Agreement with ATR. ATR continue to deliver a Service Quality product that matches our goal and targets. We recently welcomed our sixth new ATR aircraft which has enabled Aer Arann to further expand our regional offering and to support the addition of new routes and frequencies on existing routes. Following the purchase of eight new ATR aircraft, Aer Arann launched two new routes between Dublin – Newcastle and Shannon – Bristol, as well as increased frequencies to Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow  from Dublin and Manchester and Birmingham from Cork and Shannon”, Seán Brogan, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Aer Arann, said. “We look forward to further growing this important relationship with ATR in the years to come, and welcoming our passengers aboard.”

Commenting on the agreement extension, ATR’s Senior Vice President Product Support & Services Lilian Braylé said, “This contract renewal again demonstrates our ability to provide customized maintenance solutions to our operators. We are proud of the competitiveness of ATR’s aircraft maintenance offer, the GMA, in the European market.”

ATR has signed a dozen GMA contracts with European airlines recently covering over 90 ATR aircraft. The popularity of this unique maintenance offer in the regional market proves to be a great endorsement of the strong business relationship ATR has built up with these key customers. One third of the total fleet of ATRs currently in operation worldwide are covered by GMAs.