Tanzanian airline flies in ATR

Italian regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, an Alenia and EADS joint venture, and the Tanzanian carrier Precision Air Services have signed a deal for six new ATR aircraft.

The contract, for three ATR 42-500 and three ATR 72-500, is valuated at $97m. The six new ATR aircraft will be delivered between 2008 and 2010.

Precision Air Services currently operates six ATRs; four ATR 42-320 and two ATR 72-210. The airline said the new 500 series would allow the it to modernise and update its fleet and open new regional routes across Africa.

ATR and Precision Air Services have also signed an MoU relating to an educational programme to be set up in France, to train Tanzanian students in certified aeronautical maintenance engineering and certified piloting.