Spain’s Binter Canarias signs contract for six ATR 72-600s

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The inter-Canary islands airline, awarded as “European Regional Airline of the Year 2013”, operates almost exclusively ATR aircraft since 1989

The European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR and the Spain’s Canary Islands carrier Binter Canarias today announced a contract for the sale of six firm ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at almost US$ 150 million. With the acquisition of the fleet of these newest ATR ‘-600s’ the airline will enter into the renewal process of their current fleet of 18 ATR 72s which have been operating successfully in the inter-islands network for years. Binter Canarias is a long-standing ATR operator in Europe, introducing their first ATR aircraft in the late 1980s. Last year, the airline obtained a major recognition from the European Regional Airlines Association, being awarded as Regional Airline of the Year.

With the progressive introduction of these new ATR 72-600s, starting in 2015, Binter Canarias will provide its passengers with the most modern standards of comfort, while further decreasing the airline’s fuel consumption and seat/mile operating costs. The ATR aircraft family feature unrivalled performances in very short-haul networks and at small runways as those of the Canary Islands. ATRs experience also outstanding success at many other archipelagos all over the world, such on the Caribbean region or in French Polynesia.

ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, Filippo Bagnato, said: “We are honored by the fact that an airline operating an almost exclusive fleet of ATR aircraft obtained the Gold Award as Regional Airline of the Year in Europe last year. This is also a major recognition of the quality, modernity and operational capabilities of our aircraft. We are particularly proud of having built up such an outstanding partnership for more than two decades”.

Airbus Group press release