Air show fuels hope of better days for airlines

[July 20, 2010]  FARNBOROUGH, England (AP) -- French-Italian regional turboprop manufacturer ATR says it has agreed sales worth $663 million at catalog prices with Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aereas and Air Lease Corp.

The orders announced on Tuesday at the Farnborough International Airshow were for 30 ATR 72-600 turboprops.

ATR also announced a deal to sell six ATR 72-500s worth $128 million, but did not disclose the buyer.

The flurry of orders from airlines and leasing companies for new aircraft at Farnborough -- now totaling more than $20 billion -- is raising hopes that the industry is emerging from a deep two-year downturn.

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AP's earlier story is below.

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FARNBOROUGH, England (AP) -- Ireland-based leasing company Avolon says it has ordered 12 Boeing 737-8 jetliners in a deal worth $921 million, adding to a number of aircraft orders at the Farnborough International Airshow.

In a separate new deal on Tuesday, luxury carrier Vistajet ordered six new aircraft from Canadian manufacturer Bombardier in an agreement worth $277 million.

The flurry of orders from airlines and leasing companies for new aircraft at Farnborough -- now totaling more than $20 billion -- is raising hopes that the industry is emerging from a deep two-year downturn.

[Associated Press; By JANE WARDELL and EMMA VANDORE]

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