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Air Botswana takes delivery of its first ATR 72-500

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

March 19, 2009

thomas

atr-airbotswana

from left to right: L.M. Bantsi, Acting General Manager of Air Botswana, and Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO.

National-flag carrier Air Botswana today took delivery of its first new ATR 72-500, in accordance with a deal for two ATR 72-500s inked last year and valued at some US $ 37 million. With its new ATR 72-500s, configured with 68-seats and equipped with the “Elegance Cabin” and In-Flight Entertainment, Air Botswana will be able to respond to the growth of the air transport demand in the country by increasing the passenger capacity of its current fleet of 3 ATR 42-500s. In addition, the airline will fly its new ATR turboprops in routes previously operated by regional jets that become unprofitable.

Commenting on the delivery, L.M. Bantsi, Acting General Manager of Air Botswana, quoted: “The introduction of these new ATR 72-500 aircraft responds to our need to increase our route coverage and to provide more frequencies to our passengers. There is a strong development of the regional air transportation in Botswana and we are committed to match this opportunity with larger capacity ATRs.” He added: “We are very satisfied with the reliability and the performance of the ATR 42-500s we already fly. The ATR ‘-500 series’, with their ability to operate in hot and high environments are optimally adapted to our needs.” Mr. Bantsi concluded: “The relations of Air Botswana with ATR have existed for the past 20 years, and are now further enhanced by the acquisition of the two ATR 72-500 aircraft to be delivered today and in May 2009. Indeed, this is a long and fruitful experience and we expect to continue with ATR for many years to come.”

Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO, underlined “the very strong commonality between both the ATR 42-500 and the ATR 72-500, which will ease the introduction of the new aircraft into the fleet of Air Botswana. Such commonality will also represent a significant reduction in training and spares investments as well as ongoing operating costs.” He added: “The ATR aircraft are playing an important role in the development of the regional air connectivity in the whole African continent. We count today more than 80 aircraft being operated by some 25 carriers. This reflects the suitability of the ATR aircraft for some specific operating conditions in the continent, including hot and high environments and small and remote airfields.”

Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 979 aircraft (420 ATR 42s and 559 ATR 72s).
The ATR –500 series:
With its ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, ATR supplies state-of-the-art aircraft with the highest standards of comfort. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low noise levels. All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to Chapter IV (ICAO) regulations. The ‘-500 series’ feature the lowest fuel consumption per passenger and CO2 emissions of the regional aviation, thus contributing to make ATR the “Green Player” of the regional aviation.

About Air Botswana
Air Botswana was created in 1988 as the national flag carrier. Today, the airline contributes to the development of tourism and business in the country, and
is an active member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). On the ground, the airline’s reputation for excellence extends to the modern engineering hangar at Sir Seretse Khama Airport where Air Botswana technical staff carry out full maintenance not only on the home fleet but also on the aircraft of other African carriers. This capability could attract contract work from ATR operators in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, and as it was the case, Tanzania, contributing significantly to revenue.

About ATR
Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. In 2008, ATR posted an annual turnover record, with US $ 1.3 billion.

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