NAC placed an order for 15 additional ATR -600 series aircraft valued at $330 million at current list prices. All of the aircraft will be leased to Silver Airways, making them the first operator of ATR -600 series aircraft in the US. The transaction also includes the placement of five additional aircraft with Silver Airways from NAC’s current ATR orderbook.
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) is pleased to confirm that it has placed a firm order with ATR for 15 additional -600 series aircraft. The aircraft order, which marks NAC’s fourth with ATR since 2011, is particularly significant given that it commemorates the 100th new aircraft order that NAC has placed with the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer. It is further testament to the lessor’s commitment to strengthening its position as the global leader in the regional aircraft leasing space.
The purchase from ATR comprises 15 aircraft, 12 ATR 42-600s and three ATR 72-600s. These aircraft will be placed with Silver Airlines, along with four 42-600’s and one 72-600 from NAC’s current orderbook. The first aircraft is due to deliver to Silver Airways in March 2018 with the remainder expected to deliver through to 2020. This order will bring NAC’s ATR fleet to over 200 aircraft and establishes NAC’s orderbook as the largest placed with any manufacturer to date.
NAC is delighted to include Silver Airways as a key member of its growing customer base and to further bolster the global footprint of its fleet. The brand-new ATR -600s will replace Silver Airways’ existing fleet of 21 Saab 340B turboprops while increasing the frequency of main routes and opening new air services to destinations in Florida, the southern United States and Caribbean. The advanced cockpit technology and new ergonomic design make it the prime choice for passengers and pilots of the airline.
Martin Møller, Chairman of NAC, declared: “The ATR aircraft is firmly established as a cornerstone of NAC’s portfolio of modern regional aircraft. This aircraft type allows us to offer our customers a significant reduction in fuel consumption and one of the most comfortable cabins in its class, through our tailored leasing solutions. We warmly welcome Silver Airways as a new customer and are grateful for the opportunity to have worked closely with the airline to provide an optimal solution to meet their fleet modernisation requirements”.
Christian Scherer, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer declared: “It is pleasing to celebrate the New Year by announcing a deal that marks ATR’s comeback to the United States and we welcome Silver Airways to our fleet of operators. We also extend our congratulations to NAC with whom we can celebrate another deal. We are excited that passengers in the US will now be able to enjoy flying in a modern turboprop and experience the comfort of the ATR cabin. With the US having lost some 400 regional routes in the last decade we are confident that Silver Airways’ passengers will certainly appreciate the pleasure of flying onboard the ATR -600 instead of the alternative of a very long drive!”.