On Tuesday, Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (TAG Airlines), the flag carrier of Guatemala, received its first ATR 72-500 aircraft. 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 Airlines executives in front of the airline's new ATR 72-500 aircraft.
TAG Airlines executives in front of the airline's new ATR 72-500 aircraft. Photo: TAG Airlines.

The agreement with Willis

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.

A TAG Airlines aircraft.
TAG Airlines is Guatemala's flag carrier. Photo: TAG Airlines.

About TAG Airlines

TAG Airlines is a carrier that began operations in 1961. In the last two years, it has had an exciting development, launching routes across Central America under the management of its CEO, Julio Gamero.

It currently has a fleet of ten aircraft. Besides the recently received ATR, the airline has one Embraer 145LR and eight Saab 340, with an average age of 29.9 years. The Embraer has a capacity for 50 passengers, while the Saabs can carry up to 34 passengers. TAG is the only Saab operator across Latin America.

TAG Aviation currently operates 211 weekly flights, according to data provided by Cirium. The airline has 13 routes, mainly operating from Guatemala’s La Aurora International Airport. It flies to international destinations such as Cancún (CUN), Belize (BZE), Mérida (MID), Oaxaca (OAX), El Salvador (SAL), San Pedro Sula (SAP), Tapachula (TAP), and Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ).

Have you been onboard an ATR-72-500? How was the experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ch-aviation, Cirium.