Date:16/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/16/stories/2005061601840700.htm

Back Air Deccan takes delivery of first ATR 72-500

Our Bureau

Bangalore , June 15

LOW-cost airline Air Deccan, took delivery of its first new ATR 72-500 aircraft on Wednesday at the Paris Air Show.

This aircraft, delivered with a 72-seat configuration, is the first one of an order for 30 new ATR 72-500 aircraft signed in February at Aero India in Bangalore.

Air Deccan has also confirmed the order announced in January for six second-hand ATR aircraft (3 ATR 42-500 and 3 ATR 72-500).

The airline started its operations with four second-hand ATR 42s in August 2003. The Air Deccan ATR fleet has now grown to 12 ATR 42 aircraft, to be expanded with the just delivered ATR 72-500 aircraft.

ATR currently holds a market share in India of 60 per cent in the 20-seat to 90-seat regional market and of the turboprop sector the market share is 73 per cent.

In the Asia Pacific area, 104 ATRs are currently operated by 23 airlines.