Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines considers purchase of aircraft from Frenco-Italian ATRSCAT Airlines is exploring the acquisition of aircraft from Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR to open new domestic flights, according to a statement from the Transport Ministry.The potential deal was discussed during a meeting in Paris between Saltanat Tompiyeva, the head of Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Committee, and Jérôme Gabory, ATR's Vice President of Sales in Europe and Central Asia. The talks took place on the sidelines of the EURNAT-DGCA meeting of ICAO's European and North Atlantic regional directors."Discussions focused on fleet modernization opportunities, potential deliveries of modern ATR turboprop aircraft, as well as maintenance, crew training and localization of service capabilities," the statement says.SCAT is considering ATR aircraft to launch domestic flights to Zaysan and Katon-Karagay in the East Kazakhstan region and to Kendirli in the Mangistau region. Construction of airports are currently underway in all three locations, according to the ministry.ATR, headquartered in Toulouse, France, is a joint Franco-Italian venture established in 1981 and the market leader in regional turboprop aircraft (40-74 seats).SCAT, founded in 1997, is one of the largest air carriers in Kazakhstan. The airline operates over 80 domestic and international flights. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX