Page 22 - AAA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE TURBOPROPS

ATR 72-500 with its launch a stretched, 90-seat model of with an 80-aircraft backlog. The region
distintive multicoloured its dash 8 Q400 nextGen turboprop. accounts for over 40% of the company’s
six-blade propellers “There are many questions to ask before sales since 2005. The first ATr 72-600
making any decisions on this. We need turboprop aircraft destined for the Asia-
to hear what most want to see, given pacific region was delivered in August to
that they want increased capacity,” said the leasing company Avation plc – which
philippe poutissou, Vp of marketing at has placed firm orders for nine ATr 72-
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. He says 600 aircraft to be operated on Australian
that makers must juggle the advantages regional routes – as part of an agreement
of new technology with maximum with Australian regional carrier skywest
commonality with existing fleets. either Airlines and Virgin to work on feeder
way, the orders keep coming in. routes for the main corridors.
“There has been very positive
Asian uptick feedback from passengers who have
Approximately 250 ATrs are currently travelled on the ATrs in Australia, and
operating for Asia-pacific carriers, the enhanced comfort of the new 600
series should contribute to continued
favourable reaction. Avation plc’s
CHINA commitment to expand with our 72-600s
China’s emergence as an economic powerhouse drives demand for new is a significant vote of confidence,” said
aircraft, and this market is now second only to that of North America. Bagnato. And at the recent Farnborough
China is expected to take delivery of 2,200 aircraft (including 1,400 international Airshow, Taiwan-based
in the 100- to 149-seat segment) over the 20- year forecast period, TransAsia Airways placed an order for
says Bombardier’s outlook. “China will need to aggressively build eight ATr 72-600s in a deal worth over
and equip a significant number of new airports, some to relieve air Us$210 million. Vientiane, Laos-based
traffic congestion in heavily populated and travel areas, and still more Lao Airlines has ordered two ATr 72-
to develop and extend economic and social links to remote parts of 600s to be added to its fleet of four
the country.” China is therefore expected to also require a significant existing turboprops, and earlier this
number of 60- to 99-seat regional aircraft to meet demand, as well year, indonesia’s Lion Air inked a firm
as pilots to fly them, technicians to maintain them, and an air traffic contract for more ATr 72-600s, raising
control system with which to operate them safely. its order total to 40 and making it the
manufacturer’s largest customer.
22 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM