ATR CEO' reasonably optimistic' about Iran resolution

ATR CEO' reasonably optimistic' about Iran resolution

 

ATR CEO' reasonably optimistic' about Iran resolution

ATR CEO Christian Schere is 'resonably optimistic' the tuboprop manufacturer can resolve the issues around new Iran sanctions and its pending deliveries to Iran Air.

The Iranian national carrier placed an order for 20 ATR 72-600s, eight of which were delivered by june when the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) export license was revoked, atwonline.com reported.
According to Scherer, conversations with OFAC are continuing and it may be possible to get licenses for some of the outstanding aircraft deliveries. The positions are being remarketed in parallel in case that is not possible.
ATR plans to deliver around 80 aircraft, a similar number as im2017. scherer said at the Farnborough
Air show that 'there could be a slight impact' if Iran Air aircraft have to be reconfigured before delivery to anither customer.
Based on several factors, scherer expect a resurgence of the turborop markets. He believes consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental footprint thire travel causes "and our aircraft use 40 percent less fuel than the nearest competitor".
He sees significant potential in the freighter based on the FedEx order for up to 50 package freighters." that has sparked a lot of interest in the market, a lot more traction is expected in the frighter market,"he said.
Also, scherer anticipates a resurgence of the 50-seat turboprop. ATR is near commiting to the short takeoff and landing (STOL) vesion of the ATR 42, which would allow airlines using smaller aircraft to fly it into airfields with short runways.
more generally, scherer is convinced  that the low operating costs allow airlines to raplace smaller ageing aircraft such as saab 340s and not increase the overall cost.
Bombardier's renewed focus on the regional market following the C series takeover by Airbus "could be good news for all of us",scherer said, as more players promote the advantages of regional aircraft.
He played down the idea of a possible re-enigining of the ATR because the aircraft is already highly fuel-efficent in his view.
ONe big opportunity the ATR CEO sees is the china, but scherer hopes chinese authorities certifi the aircraft before the end of thise year.
scherer believes china could use the pending ATR application as a tool to speed up a deal."I accept that and am not complaining."
He dose not see the existence of the Avic MA-60 as a disadvantage. Having a Chinese program competing could ease the pressur on player like ATR to 'artificially' place part of its production into China in return for market access when that is not justified by volumes.


sours:IRAN DAILY

19 / Jul / 2018