interCaribbean Airways (JY, Providenciales) has confirmed it will retire all of its E120s by the end of 2023 following the recent acquisition of seven ATR42-500s from TAROM (RO, Bucharest Henri Coanda).
The Caribbean regional specialist did not disclose the exact timeline for the deliveries of the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that all seven, manufactured in 1999-2000, remain parked at Bucharest Henri Coanda, having been retired by the Romanian airline at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are delighted to introduce these capable aircraft, boldly expanding our capacity and operational flexibility. These aircraft will allow us to implement our commitments to expand in under-served markets, especially in the eastern Caribbean," Chairman Lyndon Gardiner said.
interCaribbean Airways currently operates ten E120s, of which three are in long-term storage. While the addition of the seven ATR42-500s will thus not increase the carrier's net fleet size, it will provide sizeable additional capacity, replacing the 30-seaters with 48-seaters.
The Turks & Caicos-based airline operates two ATRs: one ATR42-500 and one ATR72-500, and is expecting the delivery of one more ATR42-500 of ex-Villa Air (VP, Malé) stock. The carrier's fleet also comprises two DHC-6-200s and three E145s.
