17 June 2015 • Press
Bahamasair becomes new ATR customer ordering 5 ATR '-600' aircraft
Bahamas' national airline renews fleet with ATR-600s
for domestic and regional flights
Le Bourget, 17 June 2015 – Bahamasair, the national flag carrier of Bahamas, has placed a firm order for 2 ATR 72-600s and 3 ATR 42-600s, thus becoming a new ATR customer. Bahamasair's first ATRs will be delivered before the end of 2015.
The new generation ATRs will allow Bahamasair to upgrade its fleet allowing the airline to solidify excellent passenger experience on both domestic and regional routes from the airline's main base at Nassau. The 70-seat ATR 72-600s are the perfect solution to bolster and complement the airline's current Boeing 737 fleet, while the 50-seat ATR 42-600s are very well adapted to connect Bahamas Islands. The family commonality between the ATR 42s and ATR 72s represents a clear advantage for the airline, as it allows operating its fleet optimally, while minimizing operating costs.
Henry Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Bahamasair, underlined that "the choice of ATR -600 aircraft family is a strategic one for us. As we look to introduce a modern and fuel-efficient aircraft into our fleet, with its proven economics, reliability and passenger comfort, we have found the ATR-600 product family to perfectly support our plans to modernize our fleet providing a reliable service to our passengers."
"We are very proud to welcome this dynamic airline as a new customer", said Patrick de Castelbajac, ATR Chief Executive Officer. "Bahamasair has chosen the ATR-600 series due to its fuel efficiency, operational flexibility at short runways and reliability. The fact that we can offer a true family of the new generation ATRs allows the airline to optimize the operations of their fleet on regional network."
The ATR -600 series aircraft perfectly match the requirements of the airlines operating inter-island flights. Today, ATRs successfully fly in many island environments, including the Caribbean, French Polynesia and the South Pacific, the Philippines, the Canary Islands, Indonesia and Malaysia.
About the ATR 72-600:
Passenger capacity: 68-78 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)
Maximum take-off power: 2,160 horsepower per engine
Maximum take-off weight: 18,600 kg
Maximum flight range at maximum load: 800 nautical miles (1,300 km)
About Bahamasair:
Bahamasair was established in 1973 as a product of a newly established Independent Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The mandate was to provide a safe and reliable mode of air transportation throughout the archipelagic nation and internationally. The National Flag carrier purpose was to provide an 'Essential Service' bridging Nassau, the nation's capital and the remote Family of Islands.