Virgin goes turboprop

ATR, the French/Italian aircraft manufacturer who shares its assembly facility with Airbus at Toulouse, has secured an order for up to 18 ATR 72 turboprop aircraft from Virgin Blue.  The deal is part of a recently announced strategic alliance with Skywest Airlines, a Western Australia-based domestic operator.  Under the wet lease arrangement, Skywest will provide the technical and cabin crew and source the maintenance provider of the fleet.  The aircraft are painted and marketed as Virgin Blue.

Virgin Blue Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director John Borghetti said that the first four of the ATR Turboprop 68-seat aircraft would be introduced from the middle of 2011, with a further four to arrive next year.

“The ATR is the best aircraft to operate on regional routes throughout Australia.  It provides the greatest fuel efficiency and passenger comfort for this category of aircraft.  The ATR will form the foundation of our regional network plans, with the first six ATRs replacing our current Embraer E170 fleet and the additional aircraft flying to new regional destinations.” www.virginblue.com.au

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