Page 10 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2018 Online Magazine

over 1,000 airplanes over the next 20 number of ATR aircraft in operation, of the destinations in Asia Pacific.
years,” he adds. is Indonesia with 99 aircraft. The ATR aircraft can also land and take
ATR, which took 113 firm orders other countries in Asia Pacific that off from airports with short runways
in 2017, announced an order for four made the global top ten are: Malaysia that other aircraft are unable to serve.
ATR 72-600s from Bangkok Airways with 47 aircraft (No. 5 globally), India
during the Singapore Airshow. The with 46 aircraft (No. 6 globally) and New Interiors
airframer also announced that Myanmar with 34 (no. 10 globally). In TR -600s are fitted
Malaysia-based Berjaya Hotels & addition, about one half of the ATR’s with ATR’s award-win-
Resorts plans to acquire two used order backlog is from operators in ning Armonia cabin,
ATR 42-500s to launch services to Asia Pacific. “Asia Pacific is a fast-de-Awhich was designed by
the island of Redang, where the hotel veloping region of the world with renowned Italian designer Giugiaro.
group has two resorts. Referring to strong economies, but there is a real The Armonia cabin has won awards
China, Scherer says, “We are await- need for greater air connectivity in for its ergonomic design, innova-
ing approval from Chinese authorities the region to further drive economic tion and comfort. Some of the new
for the latest version of our ATR-600 growth,” says Scherer. features of this cabin include larger
series aircraft. Once we are certified “Many cities and towns in Asia Pacific overhead bins, new lighting systems
then we expect larger quantities of need more air services and there are and lighter, more ergonomic seats for
orders from that country... We already many places that still have no or very better passenger comfort. As the
have the first indications of interest few air services. ATR are the best air- market leader in the 50 to 90-seat
from customers in China,” he notes. craft for developing new air routes market, ATR has got also the most
Currently, there are nearly 1,200 ATRs and new markets. In 2017, our aircraft comprehensive customer support
around the world, of which some 420 created 70 new routes in Asia Pacific network in the region. ATR has spare
are in Asia Pacific. The region ranks alone, thus bringing regional connec- parts warehouses, training centres,
first in terms of number of ATRs in tivity to new places and expanding customer service centres, repre-
operation. Of the top ten countries in business opportunities for regional sentative offices, regional customer
the world, in terms of ATR fleet size, carriers,” he says. The versatile and support representative offices and
four are in the Asia Pacific region. The fuel-efficient ATR 72-600 and ATR field service personnel across the
biggest country globally, in terms of 42-600 are the right size for many Asia Pacific region.

10 | March/April 2018 www.GBP.com.sg/AAA