Binter Canarias Orders Four ATR 72-600 Turboprops

On Sunday, November 14th, ATR, and Binter Canarias announced a firm deal for four ATR 72-600 aircraft with one additional option. The order for these new turboprops will allow the Spanish airline to replace its older generation ATR72 turboprops.

The order announced on Sunday is for just four ATR72-600s. Photo: ATR Aircraft

Modernizing the Binter Canarias fleet

Announced on the first day of the 2021 Dubai Airshow, this ATR-Binter Canarias deal was largely overshadowed by the massive deal announced by Airbus and Indigo Partners for 255 new-generation A321 aircraft.

Despite being a smaller order for smaller aircraft, it is a deal nonetheless- one that will keep ATR assembly lines moving. The order for four ATR72-600s and an additional option for one will mark “the final step in Binter’s plan to replace its remaining ATR 72-500 aircraft with the latest-generation ATR.”

“The ATR 72-600 has become our flagship aircraft and with 23 of them in our fleet, upon the completion of these deliveries, it provides the backbone of air connectivity throughout the Canary Islands. This deal for five aircraft represents a significant investment but it will ensure that the many benefits, such as supporting local businesses and facilitating easier transport for locals and tourists alike, will continue.” -Rodolfo Nunez, President, Binter Canarias

ATR’s statement on the order highlights the importance of regional connectivity in supporting economic growth, with the planemaker’s aircraft playing its part in terms of air connections for the islands served by Binter Canarias.

With short-field take-off performance, turboprops like the ATR72 are well-suited for connecting smaller communities while providing good fuel efficiency and sufficient capacity.  Photo: ATR Aircraft

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Who is Binter Canarias?

With its base at Gran Canaria Las Palmas (LPA), Binter Canarias primarily connects the Canary Islands to Spain and Western Europe (Italy, Belgium, France, and Portugal). The airline also operates flights to Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal- as well as a controversial service to Laâyoune in the disputed area of Western Sahara.

The carrier has a fleet of 31 aircraft, 26 of which are ATR turboprops (over 80%) with an average age of seven and a half years. The remaining aircraft are five Embraer E195-E2 regional jets with an average age of one and a half years. With their longer range, these twinjet aircraft are responsible for Binter’s African and continental Europe operations.

Most of the airline’s ATR turboprops are configured to seat 70 with a single-class configuration. Photo: ATR Aircraft

“We have had a long partnership with Binter Canarias and ever since their first ATR delivery, we have seen them go from strength to strength as an airline. This makes their reaffirmation of faith in our product a real seal of approval.” -Stefano Bortoli, CEO, ATR

A good day for ATR

It wasn’t just Binter that announced a deal with ATR. The turboprop manufacturer also had the pleasure of securing an order from Romania’s flag carrier TAROM, which signed a firm order to take three ATR-72-600s.

Just like Binter Canarias, TAROM will apply its new order towards modernizing the fleet.

Have you flown on an ATR72 yet? Share your experience onboard the turboprop by leaving a comment.

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