ATR enters the Japanese market

The European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR and Japan’s new regional carrier LINK announced the introduction of the very first ATRs that will fly in Japan, one of the last Asian countries where ATR aircraft had not entered yet. LINK will start operations in 2013 with the introduction into its fleet of three leased ATR 72-600s. The aircraft will be delivered starting in late 2013. This major commercial announcement has been unveiled on the occasion of the Japan Aerospace Airshow, held in Nagoya (Japan). The arrival of these three 70-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft into the Japanese market represents a major milestone for ATR, which is already well established all over Asia and the Pacific region, with 250 aircraft currently operated by some 50 airlines over 25 countries. These ATR 72-600s will be equipped with new Pratt & Whitney 127M engines and new full-glass cockpit developed by Thales. They will also be equipped with the new Armonia cabin, developed by Italian designer Giugiaro.