Jet Airways inducts five ATR 72-600 series aircraft

Private carrier Jet Airways today said it has inducted five new state-of-the-art ATR 72-600 series aircraft to its fleet and the move will help it enhance regional connectivity.

The ATR series, equipped with latest aviation technology, will commence operations between this month and March. The aircraft will operate on the airline's domestic network, Jet Airways said in a statement.

The aircraft are being taken on lease from international leasing firm GECAS and would replace the older ones whose leases have expired, company sources said.

It will provide an enhanced connectivity into Tier II and III cities and towns across the country, the Naresh Goyal-promoted company said.

"The ATR 600 series bring some new operational capabilities to the airline by being the most economical aircraft to fly...its outstanding performance at take-off on short runways with increased payloads will allow the airline to optimise its operations in key regional markets," said Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.

The Franco-Italian ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) aircraft series is among the largest and most successful of the modern turboprop airliners currently flying the world's commuter routes.

Jet Airways has 107 commanders and 114 first officers for the ATR fleet out of which presently, 55 pilots are undergoing training on this new aircraft.

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 99 aircraft.