Summary
- Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR secures a sale to Irish turboprop lessor Abelo, specializing in sustainable regional connectivity through turboprop aircraft.
- Abelo orders ten ATR 72-600s with options for ten more, aiming to meet the growing demand for efficient and eco-friendly air travel connections worldwide.
- Abelo’s commitment to ATR demonstrates the market demand for fuel-efficient turboprops, which serve as the backbone of regional airlines and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR starts the day well with a sale to Irish turboprop lessor Abelo. The Dublin-based regional aircraft leasing platform specializes in turboprop aircraft, which it views as crucial to sustainably connecting communities. This is the second large ATR order Abelo has made, following an order for a mix of aircraft at last year’s Farnborough Airshow.
Doubling down on ATR
The deal includes a firm order of ten ATR 72-600s and options for an additional ten. Abelo aims to use the additional aircraft to meet the growing demand for efficient, cost-effective, and dependable regional air travel connections worldwide and promote the transition towards responsible aviation.
Abelo currently supports a fleet of more than 60 turboprop aircraft to provide regional connectivity by offering a full-service leasing suite with in-house capabilities in all areas. Steve Gorman, the Chief Executive Officer of Abelo, noted how he viewed the ATR aircraft as the “ideal solution” to support Abelo’s mission of connecting communities and businesses in an economically and environmentally responsible manner:
“Our aim is to expedite the transition from older aircraft to the most advanced, low-emission technologies, and ATR turboprops have emerged as the top choice for achieving this objective.
“Having already introduced our initial batch of new aircraft, we have great confidence that our investment will greatly enhance our portfolio and play a vital role in the success of our airline partners seeking outstanding performance, reduced emissions and enhanced passenger comfort.”
This is the second ATR order that Abelo has made. In July 2022, Abelo ordered ten ATR 72-600 and confirmed a deal for ten ATR 42-600S (Short Take-Off and Landing version) aircraft that the company’s predecessor had brokered.
Busy bees
Abelo is a relatively new entrant to the aircraft leasing field and looks to serve the growing market of environmentally conscious travelers. The company has invested heavily in turboprop aircraft, which it feels provides a clear transition towards sustainable aviation.
The company is inspired by the nature and necessity of Bees and derived its name from the Esperanto translation of the word Bee. According to Abelo, the company strives to embody the teamwork, structures, and importance in nature that the Bee plays in life by providing an efficient, less environmentally impactful mode of transport to mimic the Bees in the way they support biodiversity. Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed the manufacturer’s commitment to achieving operational efficiency:
“With a total of 30 ATRs ordered, Abelo’s continued commitment to ATR is a testament to the strong market demand for fuel-efficient and cost-effective turboprops. Through their versatility, low operating costs and reduced CO2 emissions, they serve as the backbone of numerous regional airlines worldwide.
“Our strong relationship with Abelo relies on common purposes and visions, as well as on our joint recognition of turboprops’ great value proposition today and tomorrow. We will remain committed to providing Abelo with the most innovative solutions long into the future.”
Photo: ATR
The first brand-new ATR from the 2022 order is set to be delivered to Abelo by the end of this year. Deliveries for the additional aircraft are scheduled for 2026 through 2028.