July 11, 2012 – Toulouse, France (Techreleased) – On the occasion of the Farnborough Airshow, the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR and Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways today announced the signature of a contract for 8 firm ATR 72-600s, plus an option for one additional ATR 72-600. The deal, including the option, is valued at over US$ 210 million. Deliveries of these new ATR -600s will start in 2014 and extend through 2017. With the purchase of these aircraft, TransAsia Airways will progressively replace their current fleet of 9 ATR 72-500s operating in their domestic network with the newest ATR -600 series aircraft developments.
These ATR 72-600s will be configured with 72 seats and will be equipped with a new full glass cockpit, developed for ATR by Thales, featuring state-of the art technologies in the field of navigation. The aircraft will also be equipped with Giugiaro-designed new ATR -600 series “Armonia” cabin.
This deal further consolidates the outstanding success of ATR in Asia, where it has booked some 240 orders since 2005, representing some 40% of total orders of this period.
Commenting on the deal, Vincent Lin, Chairman of TransAsia Airways underlined that “the ATRs perfectly match our short-haul operations. We have been operating ATRs for years and we know how they perfectly fulfill our aim of combining low operating costs, outstanding performance and highest standards of comfort. With the introduction of the new ATR 72-600s we will now be able to further increase our high level of service, while providing affordable fares for our travelers.”
Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “TransAsia has been operating ATRs for more than 20 years, and we are honored that they decided to further expand our relationship with the introduction of the new ATR -600 series aircraft into their fleet. The airline and its passengers will benefit from the many advantages of the ATR 72-600, an aircraft that has become the new reference for regional operations in Asia and worldwide.”
About the ATR 72-600:
- Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
- Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
- Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
- Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
- Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)
About TransAsia Airways:
TransAsia Airways was established in 1951 as the first private airline in Taiwan and has since grown to be one of the nation’s three largest carriers. Operating a modern passenger fleet of 18 aircraft, TransAsia Airways flies to a network of 33 destinations – 6 domestic and 27 regional, including China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea Macau, and Vietnam. TransAsia Airways also operates chartered flights to many other cities in Asia.
TransAsia Airways took delivery of its first ATR 72-200 aircraft in 1991. It is the only airline in Taiwan to fly only with European aircraft including Airbus A320/321 fleet.
About ATR:
Founded in 1981, ATR has become the world leader on the market for regional aircraft with 90 seats or less. Since its creation, ATR has sold approximately 1,200 aircraft to over 180 operators based in 91 countries. ATR planes have totalled over 21 million flight hours. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Group company) and EADS. Its head office is in Toulouse. ATR is ISO 14001 certified. This is the international reference standard in the field for environmental friendliness.
