Editor

Ian Sheppard

ATR has revealed another of its previously undisclosed customers–Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). Yesterday at the Paris Air Show the Danish lessor and aircraft trading company placed a firm order, valued at $450 million, for 10 ATR 72-600s, with 10 options for more.&nbsp;
“This is a strategic purchase for us, as these new aircraft bring us the opportunity to continue developing our business and expanding our portfolio of aircraft,” said NAC chairman Martin Möller. We continuously receive increasing demand for fuel-efficient aircraft with optimal economics.” NAC currently has a portfolio of 160 aircraft including 91 ATRs, and proclaims itself to be “the world’s leading turboprop lessor.”
Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said, “The interest of leasing companies in the ATR product has increased substantially in the last three years.” 
At last year’s Farnborough Airshow, Steven Udvar-Hazy’s Air Lease signed up for 10 ATR 72-600s, while here at the show this week GECAS ordered 15.
Also here in Paris yesterday, Ecuadorean flagcarrier TAME signed a contract valued at $54 million for three new ATR 42-500s. ATR already has 120 aircraft operating in Latin America and the Caribbean.