Air Mauritius says it recently took
delivery of its new ATR72-500 in Toulouse. According to the
airline, the aircraft was ferried to Mauritius and the flight
schedule included technical stopovers in Cairo, Djibouti and
Seychelles.
The airline notes that the brand
new ATR72-500 is named after Ile aux Aigrettes, a Nature Reserve
islet anchored at about 800 meters off the south east coast of
Mauritius. Equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines, the
new ATR72-500 leased from Nordic Aviation Capital has a
configuration of 72 economy class seats. It will replace one of the
two existing ATR72-500 which will be returned to its lessor early
2011.
The delivery of the new ATR72-500
will, therefore, provide capacity and flexibility on the
inter-island routes (Reunion and Rodrigues) during peak periods,
notes the airline.
Air Mauritius' Acting CEO, Mr.
André Viljoen, comments: "We are very proud to welcome this brand
new aircraft joining our turbo-prop fleet. This is the first
ATR72-500 aircraft painted in the new Air Mauritius livery. The
interior cabin also displays a new look and feel reflecting the
Mauritian ambiance in-flight.
We trust that our customers and
partners will be pleased with this improved offering on our inter
island network.".