First ATR 42-600 delivered to Precision Air Services
The new airplane will be the very first ATR 42 of the latest -600 series to enter into commercial service.
Tanzanian carrier Precision Air Services has today taken delivery of the first ATR 42-600 to go into scheduled commercial service. It is also airline’s first brand new -600 series aircraft out of 5 (4 ATR 42-600s and 1 ATR 72-600) ordered in December 2011. The official ceremony which took place earlier today at the ATR Delivery Center in Toulouse, France, was attended by Alfonse Kioko, CEO of Precision Air Services and Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO.
The introduction of these new series airplanes will increase its ATR fleet to 14 aircraft thus making Precision Air Services the largest ATR operator in Africa. The carrier is keen to further develop its regional network, adding new routes and frequencies to its domestic and regional markets. This fleet expansion will allow the airline to offer its passengers the advantages and comfort of the new ATR -600 series ‘Armonia’ cabin. 
The aircraft's first commercial flight should take place upon its arrival in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, when the ATR 42-600 takes off for Kilimanjaro.
The second ATR 42-600 will be delivered towards the end of this year with the other deliveries continuing throughout 2013. The handover of the ATR 72-600 is scheduled for 2014.
Alfonse Kioko, Group Managing Director and CEO of Precision Air, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the new ATR 42-600 to our already existing young fleet in line with our continued mission to develop and provide superior air transport services that will exceed customer expectation. The ATR 42-600 is also suited to our growth ambitions on the African continent. Needless to say, as a Tanzanian regional Airline, Precision Air honors Tanzania today in making our country the first and only African country to own this sophisticated very modern navigation model that will optimize time for approach, reduce fuel consumption and promises more comfort for our passengers due to its seats design. By expanding our fleet our customers will enjoy more efficiency and better travel experience from us. We are now giving our customers a greater choice and better service.”
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “The delivery of the very first ATR 42-600 in the African region is the latest milestone in ATR’s long journey together with Precision Air Services. Today Precision Air Services joins a group of world class airlines that are redefining on-board comfort and achieving an unrivalled level of cost efficiency. With the ATR 42-600, Precision Air Services carries on its approach of continuous improvement and meeting the challenging strong growth in air travel in Africa in the most cost-effective way possible. We are convinced that our longstanding and fruitful long-term relationship will continue growing and developing in the coming years”.
ATR also supports Precision Air Services’ training needs and in 2006 set up a partnership for certified aeronautical maintenance training for Tanzanian students. Each student spends one academic year at the Aeronautical Technical School in Toulouse, France, and then joins Precision Air Services’ maintenance crew in Dar Es Salaam. So far, 12 students have already graduated from these courses and joined the airline. 5 students are currently undergoing intensive training, while 24 more are expected in the coming years.
Today, a total of 105 ATR aircraft are currently in service in the fleets of air carriers in Africa and Middle East.
About ATR 42-600:
- Passenger capacity: 46-50 seats
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
- Maximum power at take-off: 2,160 horse power per engine
- Maximum weight at take-off: 18,600 Kg
- Maximum load: 5,500 Kg
- Maximum range with full passenger load: 800 nautical miles (1,300 Km)
About the ATR 72-600:
- Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
- Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
- Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
- Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
- Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,500 Km)
About Precision Air Services:
Precision Air Services was established in 1993. The airline has since increased its frequencies and capacity with its current fleet of nine ATR aircraft, including two 48-seater ATR 42-320, five 68-seater ATR 72-500 and two 48-seater ATR 42-500. The airline offers the widest connections to all major towns in Tanzania and, regionally, to Kenya, Uganda, Comoros, Zambia and Congo.
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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.