Nigerian carrier Afrijet Airlines and ATR have signed a HoA (Heads of Agreement) for the carrier to purchase four ATR 72-500s, in a deal worth $80 million.
The agreement was concluded on the occasion of the official visit to Nigeria of the French Prime Minister, François Fillon, and in the presence of the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba. With the signature for these 68-seat aircraft, Afrijet becomes a new ATR customer and the third to operate ATRs in Nigeria. Almost 70 ATRs are operated today in Africa by 23 airlines.
Powered by PW127M engines, the aircraft will feature ATR’s Elegance Cabin and inflight entertainment. With its brand new fleet of ATR 72-500s, Afrijet will reinforce its domestic network and expand its regional operations to the surrounding area with aircraft well-reputed their ability to operate on short airfields.
Commenting on this order, Captain William Berry Noelle, managing director of Afrijet Airlines, said, “We’ll be pleased to further develop our regional network with aircraft which have clearly proven their suitability for the operations in the hot and demanding African environment. We need aircraft that can ensure the lowest operating costs given the current economic environment, and for ensuring our long-term success even in the face of expected future increases in fuel costs. We are convinced that the ATRs will strongly contribute to the growth of our airline.”
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 989 aircraft (422 ATR 42s and 567 ATR 72s).
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