09-Jan-2013 12:12 PM

First new ATR aircraft delivered to an Austrian Airline

Direct News Source

08-Jan-2013 The Austrian carrier InterSky today took delivery of their first ATR 72-600 aircraft ordered in 2012. This is also the first ATR aircraft that will fly in the livery of an Austrian airline.

The new aircraft was welcomed this morning at Friedrichshafen Airport, the company's main operating base, strategically situated in the southernmost part of Germany. Although headquartered in Bregenz, Austria, InterSky benefits from the proximity of the Friedrichshafen Airport to both Swiss and Austrian borders allowing the airline to conveniently serve many commuters and business travelers from the Alpine regions.

The special delivery ceremony today was witnessed by Friedrichshafen's District Administrator Lothar Wölfle and the City Mayor Andreas Brand. The second ATR 72-600 ordered by InterSky is scheduled for delivery in March this year, with the aircraft entering service on routes to key regional destinations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

These new generation airplanes are equipped with a new full-glass cockpit and feature a high comfort layout seating 70 passengers with larger overhead bins. In addition to the performance advantages and enhanced comfort, these aircraft offer an improved operational flexibility for the airline.

With the introduction of these two new ATR 72-600s, InterSky should almost double the seat capacity of its fleet, which currently consists of three 50-seat turboprop aircraft.

"We are very much looking forward to the first 70-seater in our fleet. The fact that it is an ATR makes us very proud as InterSky is the first ATR operator in Austria", said Peter Oncken, Managing Director of InterSky.

"We are pleased to celebrate this important moment with InterSky," said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, "We are delighted to see the ATR 72-600 play an essential role in InterSky's success, and we are pleased to introduce the ATR aircraft in Austria. I am sure the airline and its customers will be happy to experience the revolutionary features on these new-generation airplanes. The arrival of the new ATR 72-600 will also provide InterSky the ability to further expand its regional network, adding new routes and frequencies".