Indian budget carrier Air Deccan to buy 30 new ATR planes

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

BANGALORE, India (AFP) — India's budget airline, Air Deccan, will buy 30 new aircraft from France's Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) in a deal worth 528 million dollars, the chief of the firm told AFP.

"We will sign the contract on Thursday. We will purchase 15 ATR 72-500 outright and the rest on lease," said Air Deccan managing director G.R Gopinath.

He said the deal would be worth about 528 million dollars according to the sticker price.

"After negotiations with ATR we got a good discount but I cannot reveal the exact sum. Lets just say that after the discount each plane is costing around a million dollars less," said Gopinath.

Delivery of the new 70-seat passenger aircraft will start in May 2005, Gopinath said ahead of an Aero India industry...