Caribbean Airlines takes delivery of first of 9 ATR planes

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) on Wednesday took delivery of the first of its new fleet of ATR 72-600 passenger planes in Toulouse, France.

CAL is one of the first operators of the new ATR-600 series. The airline is buying nine of the turbo prop aircraft in a deal valued at about US$200 million.

The planes will be configured with 68 seats and equipped with the new ATR-600 Armonia interior, which includes an in-flight entertainment system.

CAL will use the ATR 72-600 fleet to replace its five 50-seat Bombardier Q300s planes which serve the air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago. The new planes will also fly to destinations within the Caribbean.

It will also operate some of its new ATRs in the domestic route network of Air Jamaica, which it recently acquired.

Robert Corbie, acting chief executive officer of Caribbean Airlines, told media the introduction of "this very first ATR 72-600 aircraft marks a real milestone in our national aviation." 

He added, “It represents the arrival of the most modern and cost-efficient regional turboprop aircraft into our country. It will bring even better connectivity and comfort to our passengers, at optimal fares.”

ATR has about 140 aircraft operating in the Latin American and Caribbean region, with more than 60 additional aircraft on order by airlines in the region.

The planes are suited for the short-haul routes and are fuel efficient. "The ATR 72-600 reduces up to 50 per cent the fuel consumption and up to 30 per cent the operating costs if compared to other 70-seat regional aircraft,” said Filippo Bagnato, chief executive officer of ATR.

“It features also optimal performances on short runways,” added Bagnato.