Guatemala’s TAG Airlines receives its first ATR 72 aircraft
Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (TAG Airlines), the flag carrier of Guatemala, received its first ATR 72-500 aircraft on Jul. 5. With this unit, the airline is looking to expand its connectivity in Central America and the south of Mexico. TAG Airlines and Willis Lease Finance Corporation entered into a lease agreement earlier this year.
The newest aircraft
TAG Airlines received the first of four ATR-72-500 aircraft on Tuesday. This unit, registration M-IBAP (soon to be changed to TG-ATD, a Guatemalan registration), is owned by Willis Lease Finance.
The aircraft is 11.68 years old. It had its first flight in November 2010, being delivered by ATR that same month. It has a capacity for 74 passengers in an all-economy configuration in a two-by-two seating configuration. In the past, it was operated by Jet Airways between 2010 and 2019.
From Toulouse, France, the aircraft arrived at Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport, where it was welcomed with the traditional water arch.
Julio Gamero, CEO of TAG Airlines, said,
“This is an aircraft with the most advanced technology that will allow the company to continue providing the best service and comfort to passengers.”
Last March, TAG Airlines signed an agreement with Willis Lease Finance to lease a total of four aircraft of this type that will strengthen the company’s air fleet.
TAG and Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s partnership will allow Guatemala’s carrier to lease four aircraft for the next five years.
Austin C. Willis, the lessor’s CEO, said in April,
“Over the past two years, our regional and specialty assets group has focused on growth through opportunistic procurement rather than traditional sale and leasebacks. This has enabled us to provide quality aircraft and engines at attractive rates to our customers. We purchased these aircraft in late 2021, and we are delighted to have signed these leases with TAG.”
According to ch-aviation, the remaining ATR aircraft TAG will receive currently have registrations M-IBAM, M-IBAN, and M-IBAQ. They also flew previously with Jet Airways before being acquired by the lessor in 2021.