Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has delivered one ATR 72-600, MSN 1358, to Air Vanuatu on lease.
The aircraft is the first ATR 72-600 to operate for the airline.
While sharing the same fundamentals as the ATR-500 Series, the lowest seat mile cost and best dispatch reliability in its category, the ATR 72-600 benefits with the Armonia cabin, new lightweight and slim comfortable seats and the full-glass cockpit avionics. The aircraft also features the widest cabin in the turboprop market and an inclusive overhead bin containing 30% more roller bag stowage.
“The ATR 72-600 is the preferred aircraft of choice for most major regional and international carriers thanks to its lowest seat per mile cost for a 70 seat aircraft,” said Joseph Laloyer, Chief Executive Officer of Air Vanuatu.
“The extra capacity will further facilitate the development of the tourism markets in the northern islands and open up a new market with Vila-Santo-Noumea flights. The introduction of this aircraft type will help us further reduce our costs so that we can continue to offer lower fares, improve our reliability, punctualirty and the overall passenger experience.”
Martin Møller, Chairman of Nordic Aviation Capital, stated:
“We are delighted to see the first ATR 72-600 series aircraft start operations in Vanuatu, we believe that this aircraft type is the perfect compliment to the airlines current fleet. We look forward to building and strengthening our relationship with Air Vanuatu in the coming years.”
NAC is the industry’s leading regional aircraft lessor serving over 70 airline customers in 46 countries.The company provides aircraft to well-established carriers such as Air Canada, British Airways, LOT, Air Berlin, Azul, Garuda, Flybe, HOP!, air Baltic and Olympic Air as well as major regional carriers including Air Nostrum, Widerøe, Jet Time, Etihad Regional, Binter and Air KBZ. NAC’s current fleet of over 300 owned and 35 managed aircraft includes, ATR 42, ATR 72, Bombardier Dash 8, CRJ900, CRJ1000, E170, E 175, E190 and E195. In addition, the group has a further 59 aircraft on firm order. NAC is the largest owner and lessor of both ATR and Bombardier aircraft in the world.
State-owned national carrier, Air Vanuatu, was formed over 29 years ago in December 1987. Based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, the airline operates scheduled domestic and international flights from Port Vila and Santo to Brisbae and from Port Vila to Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Fiji and Noumea.