Alliance Air to connect challenging airfields of the Himalayas with two brand new ATR 42-600
The 50-seaters will be leased via TrueNoord who confirms confidence in long-term value of ATR products
Singapore Airshow, February 15, 2022 – Market-leading aircraft manufacturer ATR and Alliance Air, the only Indian public airline, have signed a deal to acquire two ATR 42-600 via lessor TrueNoord. These new aircraft will support Alliance Air’s mission of serving challenging airfields in the Himalayas. The first deliveries to Alliance Air will start mid 2022.
The former regional subsidiary of Air India, which already operates 18 ATR 72-600, has chosen to complement its fleet with brand new ATR 42s as their unique credentials, both in terms of versatility and economics, make it the perfect aircraft to serve even the least accessible regions of India. The aircraft will be able to operate on the short runways of the Shimla and Kullu airports, both located at high altitudes, and exposed to high temperatures.
Vineet Sood, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Air, said: “Our relationship with ATR started 20 years ago, and ever since we have been building a network that truly serves Indian communities, delivering comfortable, reliable and affordable air services. Thanks to the unique features of the ATR 42-600, Alliance Air will proudly fulfill the mission assigned by the Indian government to make the most inaccessible regions accessible.”
The high commonality between the ATR 72 and 42 will help make the introduction of this new aircraft type seamless. The airline will also continue to benefit from the manufacturer’s pay-by-the-hour maintenance programme, the ATR GMA, to optimise its operations and maintenance activities.
ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli said: “Renewed confidence from a historical customer is the best recognition of the efforts we are making every day to remain at the higher edge of technology whilst providing concrete solutions to operate the aircraft with the most sustainable business model. The fact that we will deliver the aircraft by the middle of this year is testament both to the recovery of the Indian domestic market and the essential need for affordable and reliable connectivity throughout the country.”
In 2021, 40 new routes were created in India with ATR aircraft.
Carst Lindeboom, Sales Director Asia Pacific at TrueNoord, added: “We are proud to be a strategic partner in enabling vital and essential connections to be made throughout India. With this new acquisition, we are firmly establishing the whole ATR family as a cornerstone of our portfolio of modern regional aircraft, and demonstrating our confidence in their long-term value.”
These are the third and fourth ATR 42 aircraft that TrueNoord is introducing into its fleet, as in December 2021, the lessor bought two ATR 42-600 to support Silver Airways’ development in the United States.
About Alliance Air
Alliance Air is wholly owned by the Government of India through AI Asset Holding Ltd., and is run as an independent Strategic Business Unit. It has an existing fleet of 18 ATR 72-600 and is in process of expanding its fleet by inducting two more ATR 42-600 to cater to airports with landing restrictions. Alliance Air operates 125+ flights/day to 50+ destinations within India with focus on connecting Tier II & III cities.
Alliance Air is the front runner in promoting the “Regional Connectivity Scheme” (RCS) of the Government of India, the very objective of which is to make air travel affordable and widespread, to boost the national economy.
About TrueNoord
TrueNoord is a fast-growing regional aircraft leasing company with offices in Amsterdam, Dublin, London, and Singapore. It is a full-service platform providing leasing and lease management services supported by extensive knowledge of aircraft finance to operators and investors worldwide in the regional aircraft sector. TrueNoord exclusively invests in latest technology turboprops and regional jet aircraft, with a deep understanding of the critical role of regional aircraft in linking remote locations to larger urban areas, providing a feeder service to major hubs, and fulfilling carriers’ lower demand off-peak services in a growing global market.
TrueNoord is supported by cornerstone investors Freshstream, BlackRock, Aberdeen Standard and others. TrueNoord’s’fleet of new and young in-production aircraft covers different models in the 50-150 seat class, including ATR, Airbus, Embraer, MHI-RJ, and De Havilland Canada. See www.truenoord.com.
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.