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ATR 72-600 Archives | LARA

Silk Avia introduces first ATR aircraft in Uzbekistan

By Featured, Regional Turboprops

New regional airline, Silk Avia, has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with ATR for the acquisition of five new ATR 72-600 aircraft. Three of these will come from ATR directly, whilst two will be delivered via a lessor.

The airline is expected to begin operations soon with three used ATR 72-600 aircraft already in its possession.

Silk Avia and ATR also announced the signing of a five-year Global Maintenance Agreement. This pay-by-the-hour contract will allow the Uzbekistanian regioanl airline to take full advantage of ATR’s expertise to support its ATR aircraft, reducing maintenance costs and boosting operations.

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, comments: “There is no better solution to provide essential links than an ATR 72-600, the sustainable benchmark in regional aviation today. In a fast-growing country such as Uzbekistan, Silk Avia will play a key role by offering vital links for local communities and boosting the economy.

“We warmly welcome Silk Avia as one of our newest customers, opening a new market for ATR in Central Asia.”

Rano Dzhuraeva, Chair of Uzbekistan Airports, says: “We are excited to be soon launching our operations with an all-ATR fleet. As a new low-cost airline, we undertook an extensive review of which aircraft would provide the best solution. Our selection of the ATR 72-600 is the perfect choice for us as they will ensure we can offer our passengers the most modern, comfortable and reliable experience in the most affordable and sustainable way.”

November 23, 2022

Toki Air takes delivery of an ATR 72-600

By Featured, Regional Turboprops

Toki Air, a new Japanese regional airline, has taken delivery of an ATR 72-600. 

Covered by a ten-year ATR Global Maintenance Agreement, the aircraft will support Toki Air’s mission of revitalising Niigata city and the surrounding regions of Japan. The carrier plans to start operations in 2023.

The fourth airline to operate ATR’s in Japan, the airline’s livery depicts the spread wings of the ancestral bird – a symbol of the preservation of nature in Japan. It also represents the airline’s commitment to connecting areas that coexist with nature, operating the lowest CO2 emissions and most fuel-efficient aircraft.

Masaki Hasegawa, Representative Director of Toki Air, commented: “We are pleased to start operating our ATR 72-600 aircraft soon. Thanks to their unrivalled versatility and responsible and affordable performance, ATR aircraft are the ideal choice for us as an airline and for our country. This first aircraft will allow us to serve our higher purpose by providing a responsible and reliable air connection to the communities of the Niigata Prefecture and surrounding regions. We look forward to seeing Toki flying in the skies of Japan.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, added: “Our long-term relationship with NAC and the confidence of the lessors’ community in our aircraft allow new airlines such as Toki Air to offer their passengers the most modern and sustainable aircraft on the regional market. The support we will be able to provide through the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement will also ensure the most reliable and efficient services.”

October 10, 2022
ATR finalises the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet.

Afrijet continues ATR fleet upgrade

By Featured
ATR finalises the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet.

ATR has finalised the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet. From the second aircraft onwards, these ATR 72-600 will be equipped with the latest generation P&WC engine, the PW127XT-M, which delivers increased efficiency and burns less fuel. The deal is further proof of the ATR’s effectiveness at growing regional routes and networks, thanks to its cost-effective operations. Afrijet initially started with pre-owned ATR aircraft and then moved to a leased ATR 72-600 in 2020. This direct acquisition of brand new aircraft will increase the -600 fleet size to four ATR 72-600, allowing the opening of new routes and increasing frequency.

Afrijet CEO, Mark Gaffajoli, remarked: “To be effective in Africa an aircraft has to be cost-efficient, reliable and operationally versatile. We need these new ATR aircraft, as creating connectivity in the Gulf of Guinea is vital for the boom in trade and community integration in the CEMAC zone. As an operator in Equatorial Africa, home of the second largest forest in the world, we are proud to be preparing to invest in a device with a low carbon footprint and a controlled and predictable ecological impact.”

November 17, 2021
ATR finalises the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet.

Toki Air set to become first Japanese airline to introduce ATR 42-600S

By Featured
ATR has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with new regional Japanese commercial airline Toki Air.

ATR has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with new regional Japanese commercial airline Toki Air.

The Letter covers the addition of 42 ATR aircraft to its fleet, and the introduction of the ATR 42-600S variant – for STOL, Short Take-Off and Landing, making Toki Air the first Japanese airline to operate this type of aircraft.

This new version of the ATR 42 600, currently under development, will offer take-off and landing capabilities on runways as short as 800 meters with 40 passengers on board in standard flight conditions. First deliveries are expected for the beginning of 2025.

Toki Air, which will operate out of Niigata airport, has already signed a lease agreement for two ATR 72-600 that will start operating in 2022. Toki Air and ATR have been working closely together on identifying the best routes for the aircraft, developing an airline business model that maximises the various advantages that ATR aircraft have to offer. The airline has chosen ATR turboprops for their compatibility with regional connectivity in a country like Japan, as well as their operational efficiency that allows for reduced CO2 emissions and cost-effective air travel. Toki Air will also be the first Japanese operator to introduce ATR’s Cargo Flex solution into their fleet, and this will help them to adjust to any fluctuations in passenger/cargo demand.

Stefano Bortoli, ATR Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The ATR 42-600S version is a vital tool to expand the horizons of many remote communities around the world, and it is particularly true in Japan. Air routes constitute an essential part of the archipelago’s domestic travel and transportation, and we know how difficult it is to ensure these links in a sustainable way. With the ATR 42-600S, we strongly believe we can offer the right solution to Japan’s requirements, now and in the future.”

November 16, 2021
As it celebrates its 4th anniversary, ATR has welcomed more orders ATR-600 orders from Air Corsica, TAROM and Binter.

ATR enjoys regional orders boost

By Featured
As it celebrates its 4th anniversary, ATR has welcomed more orders ATR-600 orders from Air Corsica, TAROM and Binter.

Air Corsica has ordered five ATR 72-600 aircraft as it continues its ATR fleet upgrade. A long-term ATR partner Air Corsica will become the launch customer for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new engine, the PW127XT.

Deliveries will begin by November 2022.

Air Corsica passengers will benefit from a more spacious cabin with larger overhead compartments, and the cutting-edge navigation technology available on board will further improve the regularity and reliability of the services they offer.

Luc Bereni, Air Corsica’s Chairman of the Board, stated: “Since our first flight in Spring 1990, the history of our airline is closely linked to ATR’s, with whom we continue to propel ourselves into the future with this order of five ATR 72-600 equipped with PW127XT engines. These new aircraft, that are even more efficient, will enable us to offer several innovations in terms of customer experience, whilst fulfilling our model of air travel in Corsica which has led to our success: frequency, regularity and reliability.”

Elsewhere, Romanian national flag carrier TAROM has TAROM has signed a firm order to acquire three ATR 72-600 as part of a continuation of its fleet modernisation which began in 2019. The deal will also see the airline upscale its ATR 42-500 fleet to the larger 72-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft, offering more capacity and welcoming passengers into the comfort of the latest generation ATR Armonia cabin.

TAROM Chief Executive Officer Catalin Prunariu said: “Having been an ATR pilot, I have witnessed first-hand, the importance of the connectivity that they provide. They are an essential link to communities all over Romania. As a CEO, I also see the value of their efficiency and flexibility. When we began to modernise our fleet, it made perfect sense to choose the ATR and as this mission continues while the world looks to recover from the challenging backdrop of the global pandemic, airlines need to have the most efficient aircraft possible. We are sure that ATR is the right choice; now and for the future.”

Binter Canarias has completed its ATR fleet modernisation, as it replace its remaining ATR 72-500 aircraft with the latest-generation ATR 72-600 aircraft.

The airline has signed a firm order for four ATR 72-600 aircraft, with an option for a further one – a deal which will see Binter operate 23 ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Rodolfo Nunez President of Binter Canarias said: “Ever since its first delivery ATR aircraft had an immediate and enduring impact on our operations. The ATR 72-600 has become our flagship aircraft and with 23 of them in our fleet, upon the completion of these deliveries, it provides the backbone of air connectivity throughout the Canary Islands. This deal for five aircraft represents a significant investment but it will ensure that the many benefits, such as supporting local businesses and facilitating easier transport for locals and tourists alike, will continue.”

ATR foresees the need to replace around 200 70-seat regional aircraft in the next five years.

November 16, 2021