Industry Silver Airways lo lease 20 ATR -600 aircraft from NAC

The Florida-based carrier will introduce 16 ATR 42-600s and 4 ATR 72-600s to its fleet. The new aircraft will replace the ageing 21 Saab 340B turboprops. Also, the deal makes Silver Airways the first operator of ATR -600 series in the US.

Deliveries will start from this March and will take place until the first quarter of 2020. The ATR 42-600s will be configured in a 2-2 seating configuration, with space for 46 passengers. Silver Airways will train its crew in its new training facility in Miami.

With the new aircraft, Silver Airways plans to higher the frequencies on existing routes and the introduction of new routes in Florida.

The order marks the 100th new aircraft order from NAC with ATR.

Martin Møller, Chairman of Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), said: “The ATR aircraft is firmly established as a cornerstone of NAC’s portfolio of modern regional aircraft. This aircraft type allows us to offer our customers a significant reduction in fuel consumption and one of the most comfortable cabins in its class, through our tailored leasing solutions. We warmly welcome Silver Airways as a new customer and are grateful for the opportunity to have worked closely with the airline to provide an optimal solution to meet their fleet modernisation requirements”.

Christian Scherer, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer added: “It is pleasing to celebrate the New Year by announcing a deal that marks ATR’s comeback to the United States and we welcome Silver Airways to our fleet of operators. We also extend our congratulations to NAC with whom we can celebrate another deal. We are excited that passengers in the US will now be able to enjoy flying in a modern turboprop and experience the comfort of the ATR cabin. With the US having lost some 400 regional routes in the last decade we are confident that Silver Airways’ passengers will certainly appreciate the pleasure of flying onboard the ATR -600 instead of the alternative of a very long drive!”

Silver Airways is a regional carrier, headquartered at Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood Airport, Florida. Currently, around 170 flights are being operated to various destinations located in the US and the Bahamas. Silver Airways operates 21 Saab 340B turboprops. The carrier has recently acquired the bankrupt Puerto Rico airline Seaborne Airlines.