EasyFly signs for five ATR -600s

Farnborough, 18 July, 2018 – Colombian airline EasyFly and market-leading turboprop manufacturer ATR today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of five ATR -600 series aircraft, of which three are ATR 72-600s and two are ATR 42-600s. EasyFly became an ATR operator in 2014 when it began the progressive replacement of its fleet of Jetstream 41s. The new ATR 72-600s will mainly serve growing point-to-point operations from the hub of northern city of Bucaramanga, a city with one of the fastest developing economies in Colombia. The ATR 42-600s will be used to further expand current operations, thus boosting regional point-to-point connectivity with the aim to support and increase ongoing development of local economies.

EasyFly President, Alfonso Avila, said: “EasyFly has experienced double-digit traffic and revenue growth every year since the incorporation of ATR aircraft into our fleet and we intend to continue our development by acquiring both the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. We understand that the modern -600 series is the best aircraft to support our continuing growth as its economics allow us to offer our passengers attractive pricing whilst also delivering them the standards of comfort that they would enjoy on single-aisle aircraft.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, commented: “EasyFly will become both an ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 operator, taking advantage of the superior economics of this aircraft family, allowing them to expand their operations and renew their fleet, with the lowest possible risk. Colombia’s domestic market still offers room for the development of point-to-point operations and EasyFly will continue to satisfy this demand, meeting the needs of its passengers and increasing connectivity. Regional connectivity and thus regional aviation has a key role to play in the growth of developing markets. This is certainly what is happening in Latin America and EasyFly’s intention to expand their ATR fleet clearly validates the importance of our aircraft in supporting this development.”

Regional aviation is proven to have a positive impact on a country’s economy. A 10% increase in flights leads to a 5% increase in tourists, a 6% increase in regional GDP and an 8% increase in Foreign Direct Investment. This in turn generates more employment and improves social development. ATR predicts a need for over 3000 new turboprops over the next 20 years that will operate the more than 2700 new routes that will be created during the same period. ATR aircraft are proven route openers, with a 40% fuel burn advantage over their turboprop rival, their unbeatable economics created over 150 routes in 2017.