300th ATR 72 goes to Air New Zealand

Interavia Business & Technology, Winter, 2004

ATR has celebrated the delivery of the 300th ATR 72. The aircraft was delivered to Air New Zealand on 23 November, taking the airline's total ATR fleet to 11 ATR 72-500s. Air New Zealand regional subsidiary Mount Cook Airlines will operate the aircraft. Air New Zealand first introduced ATR 72s on its domestic network in 1995 and then in 1999 renewed and expanded the fleet with the new-generation ATR 72-500.

ATR claims to be the leader in the regional turboprop fleet in the Asia-Pacific region in the 50/70-seat segment, with 114 aircraft ordered and operated by 20 airlines, representing 18% of the ATR market. With 66% of flights on routes less than 400nm, the area is seen to offer major development potential for turboprop operations.