(Trinidad Express) State carrier Caribbean Airlines has taken delivery in Toulouse, France, of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft.
CAL, which becomes one of the very first operators of the new ATR-600 series, booked a US$200 million contract earlier this year for the purchase of nine ATRs.
The aircraft are configured with 68 seats.
With this new ATR 72-600 delivered yesterday, Caribbean Airlines will start replacing its fleet of five 50-seat Q-300s and introducing newest and most technologically advanced turboprops into its domestic routes, ATR said in an e-mailed statement yesterday.
The airline will also add passenger capacity and develop new routes and frequencies within Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Airlines will also operate some of its new ATR 72-600s on the domestic route network of Air Jamaica, which was recently acquired by Trinidad and Tobago’s flag carrier.
The new ATR aircraft is expected to arrive in Trinidad on Monday.
Robert Corbie, acting chief executive officer, Caribbean Airlines, said in the statement: “The introduction of this very first ATR 72-600 aircraft marks a real milestone in our national aviation. It will bring even better connectivity and comfort to our passengers, at optimal fares.”
