Arkia received a new ATR72-500 aircraft

The new 72 seats ATR 72-500 was purchased last November at a cost of US$20m
 
Arkia Israel Airlines received on December 31, 2009 its new 72 seats ATR 72-500.  The ATR 72-500, assembled by the French ATR group, is a fully mature and technically proven aircraft recognized worldwide for cost-efficiency and reliability ensuring low risk choice and strong residual value for regional airlines.
 
The ATR 72-500 which was purchased last November at a cost of US$20m, is powered by PW127F engines and provides outstanding short field performance for an aircraft of this size, even on difficult hot and high airfields.
 
Arkia Israel Airlines is Israel's second largest airline operating scheduled domestic and international services as well as charter flights to destinations in Western Europe and across the Mediterranean. The new aircraft will be used on overseas services to Cyprus, Greece and domestic flights to Eilat.
 
The ATR 72-500 replace the aging 50-seats DeHavilland Dash 7 aircraft which the company has sold to a foreign buyer.