Aviation Maintenance Magazine

Azul takes delivery of their first ATR 72-600 aircraft

13 Dec 2011

Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras has taken delivery of the first ATR 72-600 regional turboprop aircraft to be delivered to a Latin American customer. The carrier, Azul, has placed orders for a total of 30 ATR 72-600s, with options an additional 10 aircraft. Azul has developed an extensive network of 40 destinations throughout Brazil. In addition to its ATR 72s, Azul operates a jet fleet of Embraer 190s and 195s. With the delivery of the aircraft in October, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras becomes one of the first operators of the newest generation ATR aircraft. ATR says Brazil has become a booming market for their aircraft as they are suited for the expansion of domestic short-haul routes due to their low operating and maintenance costs. The company says the aircraft produce up to 50 percent less CO2 than other regional aircraft, another reason for their popularity according to ATR. Today there are 50 ATR aircraft operating in Brazil, a figure ATR expects to more than double within the next three years.