Etihad Regional, the new European brand operated by Swiss-based regional carrier Darwin Airline, has reached an agreement to lease four ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will see the carrier boost its regional fleet to 12 and support its rapidly expanding network.

All four aircraft are scheduled for delivery between April and June 2014, with the first touching down at Geneva International Airport on April 1. The airline currently operates a fleet of eight 50-seat Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft.

Etihad Regional will configure each aircraft with 68 seats. Passenger comfort will be second to none thanks to a well-designed cabin and large overhead bins, said the company.  

The lease of the aircraft was arranged by Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), the world’s largest turboprop leasing company headquartered in Billund, Denmark.

The fleet announcement was made at a joint Etihad Regional-ATR media conference this morning in Lugano, and comes after the Swiss-based airline’s recent announcement of a number of new routes, several of which have already been launched.

CEO Maurizio Merlo said: “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of our new fleet expansion program. It is part of our strategy of matching our growing network and frequency requirements with the right aircraft."

"Choosing ATR for this transaction is a logical step.  The ATR aircraft have the lowest seat-mile costs in their class, are ideally suited for regional operations, can operate in all-weather types, and have relatively low engine and airframe maintenance costs," he remarked.
 
"The ATR 72-500s are not only known for their reliability and technology but are also the top-selling turboprop aircraft on the market," he added.

Peter Baumgartner, the vice chairman of Etihad Regional said: "The comfort and configuration of the new aircraft will help rejuvenate its fleet and further boost its product quality, while enabling the expansion of regional operations."

“These aircraft will allow Etihad Regional to expand the number of routes it operates, as they link key European regional towns and cities with the rest of our network, and with the hubs of Etihad Airways and its equity partners, thus being a key enabler in improving access for travellers throughout Europe,” he observed.

Filippo Bagnato, the chief executive officer of ATR said: “We are delighted that Etihad Regional has chosen ATR and we are excited to help support the carrier’s growth plans. With ATR 72-500, Etihad Regional will operate modern aircraft which not only offer high economic efficiency and exceptional passenger comfort, but also have minimal impact on the environment.”

NAC chairman Martin Møller expressed delight at working with Etihad Regional in this period of growth for the airline and said he was looking forward to a very productive and long-term relationship.  

"Our large portfolio of regional aircraft combined with our knowledge and experience enabled us to quickly respond and deliver a high-quality fleet leasing solution uniquely tailored to meet the needs of Etihad Regional,” he added.

Etihad Regional has already commenced crew recruitment for the four ATR 72-500s, and expects to hire a total of 40 cabin crew members to operate the new fleet type. The airline is also hiring 16 captains and 16 first-officers, bringing the airline’s total pilot count to 115. -TradeArabia News Service