ATR Delivers to Air Lease Corporation their First ATR 72-600

Brazilian carrier TRIP Linhas Aéreas will operate the aircraft
Toulouse, 03 November 2011

European turboprop manufacturer ATR today delivered to the U.S.-based lessor, Air Lease Corporation (ALC) their first ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. Founded by Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, ALC has agreed in 2010 and 2011 to purchase 12 ATR 72-600s, with options for 8 additional ATR 72-600s. Among the reasons ALC chose to add the ATR to its fleet are the aircraft’s advanced avionics and its redesigned cabin. Today’s delivery of the first aircraft to ALC comes during a year when ATR has booked a record number of orders for its turboprop aircraft.

Brazil’s TRIP Linhas Aéreas, one of the leading carriers in South American regional aviation, will operate this and the next five ATR 72-600s delivered to ALC. This will enable the expansion of its domestic network to new destinations, as well as adding capacity and more frequent routes in growing markets.

“We are pleased to take delivery of our very first ATR 72-600 aircraft and lease it to Trip Linhas Aéreas” declared Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ALC. “The ATR 72-600 is one of the most technologically advanced turboprop aircraft in the industry and will help to lower operating costs and maximize efficiency for the airline.”

“We began this partnership with Air Lease Corporation more than a year ago and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition with today’s delivery of their first ATR 72-600,” said ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato. “Air Lease is a very well-respected leasing company and we are honored to fulfill a need with our 600 series which provides a good investment for the lessor, cost-savings to the airlines, and comfortable in-flight experience for their passengers. We are also pleased to contribute to the expansion of TRIP in Brazil’s very dynamic regional market”.

The ATR -600 series features the most advanced technology available anywhere in regional aviation. It helps airlines manage operational costs by using significantly less fuel than regional jets. The aircraft also features improved avionics, enhanced performance in hot and high environments and increased cabin space. The ATR -600s feature larger overhead bins for carry-on roller bags and the widest cabin in its class for more legroom. As an option, they can feature also a dual-class cabin and in-flight entertainment.

During the July 2010 Farnborough International Air Show, ALC became the first U.S. lessor to purchase new ATRs with its order for 10 new ATR 72-600s, along with options for an additional 10. ALC converted 2 of the options into firm orders in September 2011.

About the ATR 72-600:

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 899 nautical miles (1,665 Km)
Fuel burn (1-hour flight): 2.5 kg/passenger/100 km
About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL)

Launched in 2010, ALC is an aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline partners worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions.

For more information, visit ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com.

About TRIP Linhas Aéreas:

After more than 13 years of activity in Brazil, TRIP is the largest regional airline in South America in terms of cities served and of regional fleet. The company is majority owned by the Caprioli and Águia Branca groups,. One of TRIP’s investors, with a 20% share of its capital, is the U.S.’s SkyWest, Inc. that, with more than 700 aircraft, is the biggest regional airline in the world. With a turnover of 747 MR$ (US$ 450 million) in 2010 and a number of 3000 direct employees, TRIP served 85 cities transporting about 5 million passengers with a fleet of 47 regional aircraft.

For more information, see www.voetrip.com.br.

About ATR

Formed in 1981, ATR has grown to become a leading manufacturer of 50- to 74-seat regional turboprop aircraft, has sold more than 1,200 aircraft and has 175 operators in 94 countries. ATR operators have accumulated more than 21 million flights. ATR is a joint venture and equal partnership between major European aerospace companies Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. Its headquarters are in Toulouse, France. ATR is certified ISO 14001, the worldwide standard for environmental management and sustainability.

For more information, visit www.atraircraft.com