TEHRAN – The aircraft manufacturer ATR will start delivery of 20 aircrafts, which it has sold to Iran, in November 2016, said Thomas Enders, the chief executive of Airbus Group.

Enders said that delivery of the aircrafts will last until the end of 2018, the Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday.

On February 1, Iran's national flag carrier, Iran Air, signed a contract with ATR to buy 20 light passenger planes, each capable of carrying 70 passengers, from the France-based company, according to Press TV.

The contract was signed through an official ceremony by managing directors of Iran Air and ATR.

ATR-72 has two turboprop engines, which is a form of gas turbine in which revolution of the turbine’s axis is used to move the propeller and generate the driving force. ATR-72 is suitable for short distance flights at speeds below 700 kilometers per hour and is considered an economical option due to lower fuel consumption and less expensive repairs compared to planes that use turbofan engines.

MA/