ATR and the Algerian National Airline Air Algerie announced the signature of a contract for the sale of 4 ATR 72-500s. This agreement, valued at some US $ 82 million, has been inked in Algiers in the presence of Mr. Amar Tou, Algeria's Minister of Transports. Deliveries of the aircraft will take place in 2010.

 

These 4 ATR 72-500s, configured with 66 seats, will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney 127M engines as well as the latest technological innovations in navigational aids and communication instruments.

With these new aircraft, Air Algerie, whose fleet already includes 8 ATR 72-500s, will be able to offer its passengers an optimized service, in particular increasing its flight frequencies and opening new routes inside the country and to neighboring countries.

Also, within the framework of creating a training center by Air Algerie, ATR will assist in the installation, start-up and operation of a new flight simulator.

Commenting on this signature, Abdelwahid Bouabdallah, President and Managing Director of Air Algerie, declared, "Air Algerie has operated ATRs since 2003, and is satisfied. The 4 additional ATRs reinforce the uniformity of our fleet dedicated to the domestic network."

"We are very happy to receive the renewal of the confidence of Air Algerie, a highly respected company that we are proud to count amongst our operators", declared Stephane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "This renewed confidence shows the point to which ATRs are perfectly adapted to Air Algerie's requirements for getting an optimal operation of its domestic and regional network. Thanks to the low cost per seat and of maintenance, ATRs remain the best placed aircraft to enable airlines to operate the most profitably".

Headquartered in Toulouse (Southern France), ATR is a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica and EADS.