At the Dubai Airshow ATR, the regional aircraft manufacturer, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Toki Air, a new regional commercial airline from Japan that will operate out of Niigata Airport. The cooperation with ATR will help Toki Air to achieve its higher purpose of revitalising the city of Niigata, by increasing mobility within and between surrounding regions. Through this LoI, ATR and Toki Air are engaging in consultations to add the ATR 42 aircraft to the airline’s fleet and to introduce the ATR 42-600S variant – for STOL (short take-off and landing). This new version of the ATR 42-600, currently under development, will offer take-off and landing capabilities on runways as short as 800 metres with 40 passengers on board under standard flight conditions. First deliveries are expected for the beginning of 2025.
ATR has finalised the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet which will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet. From the second aircraft onwards, these ATR 72-600s will be equipped with the latest-generation P&WC engine, the PW127XT-M, which delivers increased efficiency and burns less fuel. The deal is further proof of the ATR 72-600’s effectiveness at growing regional routes and networks, thanks to its cost-effective operation. Afrijet initially started with pre-owned ATR aircraft and then moved to a leased ATR 72-600 in 2020. This direct acquisition of brand-new aircraft will increase the ATR 72-600 fleet size to four, allowing the opening of new routes and increasing frequency.
Air Corsica and ATR have signed a firm order for five new ATR 72-600 aircraft to be powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada engine, the PW127XT. Deliveries will start by November 2022. The order means a full upgrade of Air Corsica’s ATR 72 fleet. Thanks to its state-of-the-art turboprop engines, the Corsican airline will be able to optimise its operations, with increased capacity and reduced operating costs and contribute to the development of more responsible aviation.