Lessor Abelo has made the first move of converting its ATR42 STOL orders into different aircraft in the ATR Catalogue.
Abelo has converted its initial order for 10 ATR 42 STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft into a mixture of five ATR 42-600 and five ATR 72-600. Additionally, Abelo has expanded its fleet by firming up orders for three ATR 72-600.
The move shows there is still life in the 50-seater market even after ATR halted development of the Short Take-Off and Landing variant of the ATR42. Abelo will be able to lease these aircraft onewards. The three additional ATR 72-600 come from the conversion of options agreed upon during the Dubai Airshow in 2023.
In Quotes
Stephen Gorman, Chief Executive Officer at Abelo, said:
“Abelo is dedicated to enabling sustainable regional connectivity by championing turboprops as a low-emission solution. By diversifying our fleet with ATR 42-600 and 72-600 aircraft and adding three new ATR 72-600, we continue to provide our customers with exceptional performance, reduced emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort. This investment strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of regional aviation.”
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer at ATR, stated:
“With delivery slots secured until 2029, this fleet expansion reaffirms the long-term collaboration between ATR and Abelo and underscores our shared vision of enhancing regional connectivity and providing top-tier air transportation solutions to passengers across diverse networks. These additional ATR 42s and 72s will enable Abelo to continue matching aircraft demand efficiently, leveraging the industry’s most cost-effective regional aircraft while promoting the transition towards responsible aviation.”
More to come
It seems that some customers have chosen to make hay whilst the sun shined and converted their existing order into a much more flexible (and leasable) fleet. For ATR it means those orders aren’t lost – but can be met through existing product lines.
The manufacturer is promising additional orders over the next few week, as it heads towards publishing its full-year results.
It’ll be interesting to see if other lessors and carriers have converted their orders too.
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