Page 21 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2015 Online Magazine

fEATURE ATR

which placed the orders for the ATR 42-
600, will acquire eight aircraft and has
options for 14 more, as part of the $ 496
million deal (at list prices). The airline will
commence operations with the type from
2017 and deliveries will be completed
by 2018. “Japan is a very interesting
market, with some 100 regional aircraft,
including over 50 aging turboprops, which
may be replaced in the near future,” ATR
CEO Patrick de Castelbajac said at the
Show. The first airline to start operations
with the ATR in Japan will be Japanese
regional carrier Amakusa Airlines, which
took delivery of a 48-seat ATR 42-600 in
August. The aircraft was acquired on lease
from the industry’s largest turboprop
lessor, Denmark based Nordic Aviation
Capital (NAC). ATR has established a new
regional office in Tokyo to further develop
its presence in Japan and cater for the
regional aviation market. ATR is also
looking to increase its presence in China
and this will receive a boost with the
setting up of a new representative office in
Beijing. Surprisingly, no ATR aircraft are
flying in China but the potential for growth
in the country remains high.
Importantly, ATR is now in the initial a new path to develop new markets,” 600 series for even more precise airport
stages of a feasibility study and moving said Thierry Casale, ATR Senior Vice final approaches. The new High Density
ahead with discussions with engine President Programmes. Airlines PNG of “Armonia” cabin which can accommodate
manufactures for new-generation engines Papua New Guinea will take delivery of up to 78 passengers (instead of 74) on the
to power the ATR 42 and 72, industry its first ATR 72-600 “combi” before the ATR 72-600 is expected to enter service
sources tell Asian Airlines & Airports. It end of the year and it has eight of the new from 2016, following receipt of certification
is quite likely that the final result will be variant on order. The “combi” can carry this year.
similar to the approach taken by Boeing, up to 44 passengers depending on the
Airbus and Embraer for the 737 MAX, configuration ordered by the airline. The ABOvE: Myanmar National
A320neo and E-Jet E2 family respectively; removal of the seven forward seat rows Airlines had placed orders for
six ATR 72-600s in 2014. It also
in that it will use an existing airframe results in an increased cargo volume operates three ATR 72-500s, two
and feature major upgrades to the of over 19 m3 in volume and capacity of ATR 72-200s and one ATR 42-
cockpit and aerodynamic improvements 3,000 kg in weight. Four containers can 300. Pictured is the first aircraft
along with improved cabin interiors and now be accommodated in the new cargo delivered to the airline in August
this year
amenities. A new variant is the ATR 72- section and the design is available for
600, passenger-cargo “combi”, which retrofit on existing aircraft. At the Paris BELOW: The ARMONIA Cabin
received European Aviation Safety Agency Air Show this year, company officials had interior on the ATR series
(EASA) certification in October. “With also announced the addition of a new wind features new, light and slim
seats, wider overhead bins,
more cargo space and excellent cost-per- shear detection system and installation LED lighting and an In-Flight
trip economics the “combi” version opens of new avionics systems on the ATR- Entertainment (IFE) system
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