The document, signed by the parties, states that the aircraft is technically sound and fully meets the performance criteria. The Act of Delivery & Acceptance also confirms that the SSJ100 is transferred to the carrier with a full set of required operational and maintenance documentation and flight kit. The aircraft is ready to start commercial operation on Aeroflot domestic and international route network.

The aircraft is planned to fly from Komsomolsk-on-the Amur to Moscow on January 27, 2012.

ATR’s 2011 results attest to the structural changes in the regional transport market, making ATRs the new reference in this sector. ATRs represented more than 80% of regional airplane sales in 2011, confirming the domination of turboprop aircraft on regional routes. Their low fuel consumption, combined with comfort and advanced technology are the main reasons for ATR’s success, the first signs of which were felt in 2005.

The regional aircraft manufacturer ATR recorded its best commercial year in 2011, posting firm sales of 157 planes and options for an additional 79 aircraft. These 157 firm sales (13 ATR 42s and 144 ATR 72s) round out the manufacturer’s order book for a record high of 224 aircraft, ensuring 3 years of production, taking into account the production ramp up starting in 2012.

During a press conference held in Paris this morning, Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said he was “very pleased with the outstanding commercial performance in 2011. Our success is based on our ability to answer to the market requirements. Airlines are increasingly looking for planes that combine the lowest operating costs, cutting-edge technology, comfort and environmental friendliness. In this context, ATRs and particularly our new series of aircraft, the  600, have proven to be the best choice for regional routes in terms of meeting these requirements in regional routes.”

ATR recorded 157 firm orders and 79 options (table 1) with 18 clients worldwide, including 10 new customers. Existing clients have renewed their trust in ATR in order to develop their networks and meet the increase in local traffic. Among its new clients, the majority of ATR aircraft purchased in 2011 will be intended to replace an older fleet of first-generation regional jets or turboprops (non-ATR planes).

Leasing companies represented over 20% of ATR’s sales in 2011, which confirms that ATRs are increasingly attractive to aircraft lessors. Their low operating and maintenance costs, their high standard of comfort, thanks to the new “Armonia” cabin for the -600 series in particular, and a base of approximately 180 ATR operators in 90 countries make them major assets for aircraft leasing companies. ATR’s success has really ramped up in recent years, with half of all orders (totaled over the past 30 years) being recorded since 2005.

Certification of the ATR 72-600 in May 2011, as well as of the associated training tools, enabled the European turboprop manufacturer to introduce new standards of comfort and leading-edge technologies into regional market. Since their entry into service last August, ATR 72-600s have made over 3,000 flights, posting an initial technical reliability of over 99.7%.

ATR delivered 54 aircraft in 2011 (table 2), including 10 ATR 72-600s.

At the end of 2011, the 224 planes on the order books totaled an estimated US$ 5 billion. As a result, ATR will substantially increase its delivery schedule in order to meet the strong demand for ATRs worldwide. ATR plans to deliver over 70 aircraft in 2012 and to increase its deliveries to a minimum of 80 units as of 2013. With the ramp-up of its delivery schedules, ATR should see its turnover, which currently stands at $1.3 billion, reach $2 billion in the near future.

Filippo Bagnato said: “We are currently experiencing a real reversal of the trend in the regional market. Jets with 90 seats or less are gradually losing their place. And he added: “Today, ATR holds 70% of the order book for regional aircraft with 90 seats or less. This success was born of a continuous improvement policy, economic performance and the comfort of our airplanes. Today, this success has led to a remarkable change in the perception of our turboprop aircraft amongst regional airlines and their passengers.”

In 2011, ATR also obtained the expansion of the scope of its environmental certification ISO 14001, thus becoming the first regional aircraft manufacturer to be certified “environmental-friendly” over the entire lifecycle of its planes.

Moreover, the new design of the Armonia cabin for ATR -600s was recognized at the Good Design Awards in Chicago, a worldwide reference for design and technology. The jury recognized the cabin designed by Italian designer Giugiaro for its quality in terms of comfort, ergonomics, innovation and design.

ATR continued to develop its customer support network worldwide with the opening of new pilot training centers in Toronto and Paris. A new center will open in Johannesburg in the very near future. Within its support activities, in 2011 ATR completed the entry into service of the ASTRE program (ATR Spares Total Re-Engineering). This ambitious program has been designed in order to facilitate the development of new customer services and optimized management of the spare parts stock, offering increased responsiveness in terms of customer support. It is also effective in reducing the immobilization time of aircraft for maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Mexican low cost carrier Volaris has signed a purchase agreement for 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, comprised of 30 A320neo and 14 A320 aircraft. The order represents the largest single commercial aircraft order ever by an airline in Mexico. Volaris, also the first airline in Mexico to order the A320neo, will announce its engine selections for the aircraft at a later date.

Since starting operations in 2006, Volaris has become one of the top three airlines in Mexico having quickly expanded their network throughout the country and into the United States. The new 44 A320 Family aircraft will more than double the airline’s all-Airbus fleet to support their expansion and fleet renewal plans. The airline currently operates 34 Airbus aircraft and has a backlog of 58, including the aircraft announced today.

“The arrival of the new A320s is great news not only for Volaris and the environment,” said Volaris CEO Enrique Beltranena. “It is good news also for all of our customers.  The new airplanes will let us strengthen our low price strategy to benefit a larger number of Mexicans, while their fuel efficiency and reliability will allow our fleet, the youngest in the country, to be even more friendly to the Mexican skies.”

“This order is important – not just as the largest in Mexico’s aviation history – but also insofar as it enhances the already strong Airbus partnership with one of the leading airlines in that country,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In addition, Volaris will become among the first airlines in Latin America to benefit from the A320neo’s increased capabilities, including a 15 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions.”

Over 8,200 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and nearly 5,000 delivered to some 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6, while this aircraft also has considerably a smaller noise footprint.

December 5 2011, Moscow – The Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft (RA 89002, MSN 95010) in operation with Aeroflot Russian Airlines performed a flight SU391/392 on route Moscow – Oslo – Moscow, marking the beginning of the scheduled services of the airline’s international destinations by aircraft of this type. It is expected that this year Aeroflot’s SSJ100 aircraft will also fly to Budapest.

“The fact that the SSJ100 started to serve international routes of Aeroflot reflects the confidence of the airline in the reliability of our aircraft. We believe that the SSJ100 aircraft will efficiently serve both international and domestic routes of Aeroflot and will do our best to make sure that the growing fleet of SSJ100 meets the expectations of the airline”, noted Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk, President of JSC “Sukhoi Civil Aircraft”.

Aeroflot currently operates three SSJ100 aircraft which serve routes from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Astrakhan, Chelyabinsk, Kazan, Anapa, Perm and Minsk. On December 4 these aircraft started to serve international routes of the airline. Aeroflot’s operations confirm that the aircraft is able to serve efficiently regional routes with the high frequency of departure.

“The one- thousandth commercial flight performed by Aeroflot’s SSJ100 fleet confirms the superior operational performance of our aircraft. We see that the SSJ100 is becoming an excellent tool for the development of the Aeroflot regional network. We will do our best to make sure that the growing fleet of SSJ100 meets the expectations of the airline”, noted Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk, President of JSC “Sukhoi Civil Aircraft”.

Aeroflot currently operates three SSJ100 aircraft which serve routes from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Astrakhan, Chelyabinsk, Kazan and Minsk. These aircraft will also start to serve international routes of the airline this year. Aeroflot’s operations confirm that the aircraft is able to serve efficiently regional routes with the high frequency of departure.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) is a 100 seat regional jet designed, developed and built by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), in partnership with Alenia Aeronautica. On May 19th 2008 SSJ100 successfully accomplished its first flight. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 cruises at a Maximum Operating Speed of Mach 0.81 and 40,000 feet. It takes off from a 1,731 meters runway in the basic range and 2,052 meters in the long range. The operating range for the basic version is 3,048 km and 4,578 km for the long range version. In February 2011, the SSJ100 obtained the Type Certificate by the Russian Certification Authority IAC AR. The EASA certification is expected to follow in 2011. On April 19th 2011 first production SSJ100 was delivered to Armavia airlines (Armenia). There are currently four SSJ100s in service with Armavia and Aeroflot.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (November 18, 2011) – ALTA, the Latin America and Caribbean Air Transport Association, hosted its annual awards ceremony during the 8th Annual ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil recognizing those who have significantly contributed to the region’s commercial aviation industry.

More than 500 guests, including more than 40 airline CEO’s, residents and Board Members, as well as, civil aviation authorities, among other key industry executives, gathered for the yearly awards event hosted at the Windsor Barra Hotel. The 2011 ALTA awards ceremony was sponsored by Airbus.

Federico Bloch Award

David Neeleman, Chairman of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, was presented with the prestigious 2011 Federico Bloch Award, which is bestowed upon a leader in Latin America and Caribbean aviation who best exemplifies the leadership, courage, character and vision of TACA’s visionary, late CEO Federico Bloch. The Award was presented by Jacqueline Laffite de Bloch, widow Federico Bloch.

The Federico Bloch Award is managed by leading executive search consulting firm Spencer Stuart and the winner is voted on by an independent panel of five judges, including:

Fernando Pinto, President of TAP Air Portugal and ex-President of Varig
Alfonso Pasquel, Chief Operating Officer of DESC S.A. and ex-President of AeroMexico
Enrique Borgo Bustamante, ex-President of TACA and ex-Vice President of El Salvador.
Bobby Booth, Chairman of AvGroup
Mark Pilling, Publisher of Airline Business magazine

“Azul is a company that is dedicated to deliver high quality service and a very human and sympathetic treatment. This is our differential”, said David Neeleman, founder and president of the board of Azul Airlines. “Winning Federico Bloch Leadership award from ALTA – the most remarkable aviation association in Latin America -  represents the efforts of 4000 employees that work with passion and efficiency every day. Our airline couldn’t be so successful in only three years if it wasn’t for them. That’s why I want to dedicate this award to my team”.

The Federico Bloch award recognizes outstanding leadership in the advancement and integration of the commercial aviation industry in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is awarded to an individual who launches a successful new business, builds cooperation across the region, introduces progressive business practices, supports the growth of the industry, or someone who goes beyond the call of duty to advance the interests of the aviation industry in Latin America and the Caribbean. The award is in honor of the late Federico Bloch, who was a pioneer in Latin American aviation and part of the driving force behind the creation of Grupo TACA. Bloch, who was a past president of ALTA and a member of its executive committee, was killed April 26, 2004.

The judging panel selected Neeleman for setting industry records, successfully answering market demand and striving to “revolutionize” aviation in Brazil. Azul is now Brazil’s third largest airline. In its first year of operations, Azul transported more than 2.2 million passengers. Azul is reshaping the Brazilian airline market and creating new demand among Brazilians, who normally do not travel by air. Many Azul passengers are first time flyers, and Azul has been successful in addressing Brazil’s expanding middle class.

Prior award recipients have included Matias Campiani, Enrique Beltranena, Pedro Heilbron, Bobby Booth, Mauricio Botelho, Constantino de Oliveira Jr., Enrique Cueto.

Rolim Amaro Award

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer was the recipient of this distinguished award. The Rolim Amaro award is named after the great Brazilian aviation leader, CEO and founder of TAM Airlines, Captain Adolfo Rolim Amaro, who introduced his trademark and primary philosophy to commercial aviation: “Focus on the client by offering quality service” and giving all passengers “Red Carpet Treatment”. Those who knew Rolim well can appreciate the very high standards that he established and which are today maintained at TAM, the airline that bears his legacy.  It is against those very standards that the ALTA member airlines identify and assess potential Rolim Amaro award recipients.

Mauro Kern, Embraer´s Executive Vice President Engineering & Technology, received the Rolim award, which was presented to him by Maria Claudia and Mauricio Amaro, the children of Rolim Amaro.  The Rolim Amaro award is named after the great Brazilian aviation leader, CEO and founder of TAM Airlines, Captain Adolfo Rolim Amaro, who introduced his trademark and primary philosophy to commercial aviation: “Focus on the client by offering quality service” and giving all passengers “Red Carpet Treatment”. Those who knew Rolim well can appreciate the very high standards that he established and which are today maintained at TAM, the airline that bears his legacy. It is against those very standards that the ALTA member airlines identify and assess potential Rolim Amaro award recipients.

“It is a great honor to accept the Rolim Amaro award, through which ALTA recognizes and promotes service excellence from the perspective of the airlines, our clients. For Embraer, it symbolizes the relevance of the continuous and constant efforts of our 17,000 employees to deliver into this market a product with the highest standards and capabilities for doing just that: delivering service excellence.”

The Rolim Amaro Award honors customer service excellence from an airline perspective. Voted on by ALTA’s Executive Committee, this award is presented to the Latin American or Caribbean aviation organization that exhibits the best overall customer service as determined by the airlines who are the users or customers of those organizations. In the past, the award has been presented only to airports. However, starting in 2009, the award was expanded to include other industry players such as air navigation service providers, civil aviation authorities and independent regulators. The criteria was also expanded to include not only exceptional customer service, but also initiatives or projects that have resulted in a more efficient and/or safer airline industry.

The first annual ALTA Rolim Amaro Award was presented in2005 to SCL Terminal Aéreo (Santiago de Chile). In 2006, it was presented to Tocumén Internacional (Panamá), in 2007 SCL Terminal Aéreo (Santiago de Chile), in 2009 to AMAIT Administradora Mexiquense del Aeropuerto Internacional deToluca, S.A. de C.V and in 2010 to TALMA, an airport services provider in Peru.

As one of the fastest growing aircraft manufacturers, Embraer is recognized for playing a key role in the growth of the industry not only in Brazil but other countries in the region. The 41-year old company is recognized worldwide for its versatility and use of cutting-edge technologies. In recent years, the company has successfully expanded across borders with operations in China, France, Singapore, Portugal and the U.S. The characteristics of the Embraer fleet have significantly improved the efficiencies of airlines in medium haul flights without compromising the passenger experience.

The European turboprop manufacturer ATR and Russia’s NordStar Airlines today announced they have agreed the purchase of up to 7 ATR 42-600s (5 firm aircraft and 2 options). The total value of all these airplanes is estimated at some US$ 132 million.

ATR and NordStar had previously unveiled in September 2011 an order for 2 firm ATR 42-600s plus 2 options, which has now been increased with the 3 additional firm aircraft. This follows an order in 2010 for 4 firm 42-500s plus 3 options.

NordStar Airlines will become the very first operator of new ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft in the Russian Federation. NordStar already operates 4 ATR 42-500. With the introduction of the 5 firm ATR 42-600s, NordStar will bring to 9 aircraft its brand new fleet of ATRs.

Commenting on the signature of the contract, Kirrill Buryy, General Director of NordStar Airlines, declared: “We have been operating 4 new ATR 42-500s since May 2011 and the aircraft have fully met our expectations in the difficult operating environment of Krasnoyarsk Region and Russia’s Far North. They have become very popular among our passengers. With the arrival of the new ATR 42-600s, we will further expand our travel offer, with new routes and additional frequencies within the Krasnoyarsk region. The new ATR -600s ‘Armonia’ cabin will also provide our passengers with even higher standards of comfort, including new slim seats, additional legroom and larger overhead bins”.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, underlined “the renewal of the confidence of NordStar, one of the fastest growing airlines in Russia, after only a few months operating ATRs. We are pleased to introduce the new ATR -600s in Russia, which is a very dynamic market with a huge potential for the expansion of regional aviation with the most modern turboprops”.

The 3 additional firm orders of NordStar bring to 148 the total firm sales of ATR since the beginning of the year, further consolidating its commercial yearly record. ATR has also booked options for 72 aircraft since January 1st 2011.

A total of 38 ATR aircraft are currently in service in the fleet of air carriers in Russia and CIS countries, and 15 additional ATRs are on firm order backlog.

About ATR 42-600:
Passenger capacity: 46-50 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,160 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 18,600 Kg
Maximum load: 5,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 801 nautical miles (1,483 Km)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (November 16, 2011) – ALTA, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association, announced that Rio de Janeiro’s Governor, Sergio Cabral, the Chief Minister, Secretary of Civil Aviation of Brazil, Wagner Bittencourt   and Sub-Secretary of Tourism, Pedro Guimaraes, will open the 8th Annual Airline Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Windsor Barra Hotel.

Over 500 participants, including Airline CEO’s, dignitaries, civil aviation authorities and industry organizations are attending the Forum, which sold out again this year.  “The Airline Leaders Forum creates an unparalleled opportunity to promote high-level discussions among the region’s top stakeholders,” said Alex de Gunten, Executive Director of ALTA.  “The Forum serves as a venue to address the industry’s most critical issues, such as infrastructure and lack of regional harmonization in order to foster safer, greener and more efficient aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

During the 2011 Forum, several engaging panels, including the top CEO’s of the region and abroad, will discuss the industry’s most important issues and opportunities, such as consolidation, safety, environmental initiatives, airline technology, fuel supply challenges, fleet forecasts vs. production needs, and regional outlooks among others. The Federico Bloch and Rolim Amaro award, which recognize leadership and service excellence in the industry, will be presented to winners on the evening of Thursday, November 17th.

Highlights of this year’s conference include:
Over 140 Companies registered
Over 30 Airlines
Over 35 Countries represented
Over 40 Airline Presidents, CEO’s and Board Members

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, November 7, 2011 – Embraer and CIT Group Inc., a global leader in transportation finance, have signed an agreement for the sale of up to 30 EMBRAER 190 and/or EMBRAER 195 jets, with ten firm orders. Deliveries are scheduled through 2015.

“Embraer is very pleased to have such an important lessor as CIT Aerospace joining the E-Jets program,” said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer President, Commercial Aviation. “After more than 1,000 firm orders, spread over 60 operators in 40 countries, this investment by CIT is further confirmation that the E-Jets have achieved a high level of attractiveness for the top-tier investor community.”

CIT owns or finances a fleet of approximately 300 commercial aircraft. According to Jeffrey Knittel, President of Transportation Finance at CIT: “We are pleased to announce our first direct order with Embraer for the E190/E195 aircraft, which will enable CIT Aerospace to offer an even more diverse set of products to its customers. This order allows CIT Aerospace to continue to maintain one of the youngest and most technologically advanced fleets in the industry and will help us meet our customers’ increased demand for this size of aircraft.”

The E190 and the E195 are the two bigger models of the four-member E-Jets family of brand-new commercial jets that entered service, respectively in August 2005 and July 2006. The jets can be configured in one or two classes, seating from 98 to 122 passengers in a comfortable four-abreast (2-2), no-middle-seat configuration, and can fly up to 2,400 nautical miles (4,450 kilometers) nonstop.