Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) and ATR today announced a contract for the purchase of 40 ATR 72-600s, which includes firm orders for 20 aircraft and options for 20 additional ones. DAE is the largest aviation leasing firm in the Middle East with an aircraft portfolio of approximately $3.3 billion comprised of Boeing 737s, 777s, Airbus A320s and A330s. Today’s deal represents DAE’s first order for regional aircraft. The 20 firm aircraft are scheduled to deliver between2015 and 2018.

Image: ATR.