Lower airfares coming soon

Fri Mar 15, 2013

Editor: On Thursday, 17 January 2013, a signature agreement for the purchase of a total of three 48-seat ATR 42-600s was signed. The deal also includes options for two 68-seat ATR 72-600s, and is valued at over US$ 100 million. LIAT will take delivery of their very first ATR 42-600 in June 2013.{{more}}

ATR was born in 1981, a European venture headquartered in Toulouse, South of France.

Since then, ATR has become the benchmark for regional turboprop aircraft, with sales exceeding 1,200 aircraft, with over 180 operators in more than 90 countries. The ATR aircraft is widely used on many islands in the world: Polynesia, Caribbean, Canary Islands, and Vanuatu. It consumes up to 30 per cent less fuel than the Dash 8-300, and 50 per cent less than any regional jet.

ATR brings modernity and comfort to LIAT.

The new six-bladed propellers raked at the tips reduces noise and vibration. The new aircraft also has lower maintenance costs and significant weight reduction, with emphasis placed on the

environment, which can result in lower tariffs for passengers.

The aircraft land on very short runways of up: 1000 metres/3281 feet. The newly designed Pratt and Whitney 120M engine pushes out 2400 HP per engine, making easy access into places like Arnos Vale, St Vincent and the Grenadines. ATR also boasts more leg room, more over head luggage space, warm cabin lighting, and an Italian leather designed interior, dubbed “armonia” cabin.

LIAT has complained that high maintenance costs, and the aging Dash 8’s, which are average of 19 years old, are hampering them from breaking even and making a profit. LIAT is talking about creating new routes when the ATRs arrive, and one of the routes being discussed is the Guyana/Antigua route, which Redjet created, and Central American routes.

Guyana is 768.4 nautical miles/1,236.6 kilometres away from Antigua. The ATR can fly distances of up to 800 nautical miles/1,500 kilometres . This is possible, thanks to the ATR 72 600’s ability to fly for two hours over water on one engine (in case of engine failure), as it is the only turboprop in the world certified for ETOPS (extended twin engine operation over transoceanic distances).

The pilots have not been left out of the deal: an ergonomic cockpit, reduced work load, improved handling and electronic flight bags are all in store with this masterpiece.

After paying high airfares for so long and rising fuel prices, the Caribbean people eagerly await this new technology which could see the average travelling public saving a dollar.

Dwight Parsons