ATR delivers to Azul a pink aircraft promoting breast cancer awareness
Toulouse-based turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR today delivered to Brazil's Azul Linhas Aéreas an ATR 72 painted pink, symbolizing the promotion of breast cancer awareness.
On its fuselage, the aircraft will promote FEMAMA, a Brazilian non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the disease. In addition, ATR and its suppliers involved in the organization of the delivery of the aircraft will contribute funds for the Toulouse Cancer Campus.
These funds will finance a breast cancer promotion campaign during the next edition of 'Pink October', an annual international awareness event.
When the pink ATR arrives in Brazil, the airline will also conduct, during one week, awareness initiatives on breast cancer screening and self-examination procedures at the Brazilian airports where the pink ATR will land.
These initiatives will include conferences given by FEMAMA volunteers and the distribution of informational brochures, which will also be available on board the aircraft.
Pink, the characteristic color of the city of Toulouse, which is the birthplace of both ATR and the center of excellence for cancer research, insired the name of the aircraft: 'La ville rose' or ''the pink city'.
All the female personnel of ATR, FEMAMA's president and women representatives of local and regional institutions attended this special event.
David Neeleman, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Azul Linhas Aéreas, declares:
For Azul, it is very important to combine our growth with the development of social initiatives. Our new ATR aircraft, and our partnership with FEMAMA, will bring us the opportunities of further communication on the importance of breast cancer prevention.
A pink ATR aircraft is definitely an optimal way to bring this message across the country.
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declares:
By getting involved with Azul Linhas Aéreas and to FEMAMA in this major awareness programme, we aimed to associate ATR with such an important fight.
We are proud to see that an ATR aircraft will promote breast cancer awareness in Brazil. We are also pleased to establish a durable commitment with the Toulouse Cancer Campus, a growing institution which is becoming an international reference center.
With this pink ATR aircraft we will have the opportunity of expanding the awareness message among our operators, thus providing an international dimension to such important
initiative.
About Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras
The airline Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras began operating in December 2008. Today, it services 30 cities and offers more than 200 flights per day, with a fleet of 28 Embraer aircraft and four ATRs.
The airline will expand its fleet over the coming months with the delivery of 20 new ATR 72-600s and 59 additional Embraers. Azul combines low prices and excellent quality of service. It employs more than 3,500 staff and generates thousands of indirect jobs in Brazil. S
Since its creation, it has transported more than 7 million passengers. It has also won several awards, including 'Best Brazilian Airline' by Flight Review magazine, 'Best Performance of 2009' by Aero Magazine, and 'One of the 30 Hottest Brands in the World' by the New York publication Advertising Age.
About FEMAMA
FEMAMA is a non-profit organization that brings together 46 Brazilian institutions in the fight against breast cancer. Founded in 2006, it is currently present in most Brazilian States through a number of volunteers and non-governmental organizations (NGO).
It is dedicated to consolidating a national program that promotes the emergence of public policies to improve health care towards breast cancer early diagnosis and decrease mortality rates.
About ATR
Manufacturer of turboprop aircraft, ATR, based in Toulouse, is the world leader in the segment of these 50- to74-seat aircraft.
Its two models, the ATR 42 and ATR 72, are operated by 165 airlines in 90 countries. They have totaled more than 21 million flights since the program began precisely 30 years ago. ATR has sold more than 1,000 aircraft.
They are reputed for their low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions (up to 50% less than those of regional jets of the same capacity).
ATRs are also the regional aircraft offering the lowest operating costs. The 600 series ATRs, the latest generation of the ATR family, will be commissioned in the course of 2011.
ATR is a fifty-fifty partnership between the European aeronautics group EADS and the Italian aeronautics group Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company).
Source: ATR
