ATR has finalised the sale of another ATR 72-600 to Gabonese carrier Afrijet, to be delivered before the end of the year, the airline disclosed during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show.
The order will bring the -600 fleet size to six ATR 72-600 by 2023, allowing the opening of new routes and increasing frequency.
Regional connectivity
Afrijet CEO, Marc Gaffajoli, said: “Regional connectivity has a significant impact on local economies and community integration. To be effective in Africa an aircraft has to be cost-efficient, reliable and versatile. Moreover, the unique terrain in which Afrijet operates, comprising of the Congo rainforest – the world’s second-largest tropical forest after the Amazon – makes an even stronger reason to select the most responsible aircraft on the market for such essential connections.”
The Gabonese carrier currently operates two ATR72-600s, including one ordered directly from Avions de Transport Régional in November 2021 and one added as a second-hand unit from Firefly.
Fabrice Vautier, ATR senior vice president of commercial, said: “Most traffic in Africa is concentrated on a few well-served routes and there is a real need to connect secondary cities. Afrijet can do just that, providing reliable and comfortable service to local communities. Accelerating the transition of its fleet to purchase the latest generation of ATR aircraft, is a clear demonstration of Afrijet’s strong business strategy and commitment to sustainable aviation”.
Ch-aviation fleet advanced module shows the airline has a further two ATR72-600s on direct order from ATR.
Afrijet’s fleet also comprises one ATR42-500 and three ATR72-500s
