At a media briefing on day 2 of the Paris Air Show, turboprop manufacturer ATR revealed 22 firm orders for its latest generation aircraft alongside two options. Six ATR 72-600s were ordered by Taiwanese carrier Mandarin Airlines, two in an all-business configuration for Berjaya Air, three 72-600s for Azul plus two options, and 11 orders from undisclosed customers - eight for the 72-600 and three for the 42-600.
An all-business class ATR
As part of today's announcement, ATR has revealed the launch customer for its ATR HighLine all-business class configuration. That customer will be Berjaya, a Malaysian airline operating out of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. At present, the airline has just two ATR 72-500s, purchased at the 2018 Singapore Airshow and used on flights from Redang to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Today, it revealed an order for two ATR 72-600s with the HighLine configuration. The airline is moving into an all-business class offering in a bid to rebrand itself as a premium carrier, with a vision of expanding its reach to more of its parent group's resorts and hotels. The new airplanes will have a 1-1 layout and are due to be delivered in 2025 and 2026. Owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan said,
“Berjaya’s vision is to offer passengers a unique VIP experience, with the highest level of comfort and operational efficiency, while also focusing on sustainability. Our ATR aircraft equipped with the ATR HighLine collection will help us make the most preserved destinations accessible to our guests with the most comfortable, responsible and future-minded aircraft on the market.”
Six for Taiwan
The largest order of the day went to Mandarin Airlines, a regional subsidiary of China Airlines, with a firm order for six ATR 72-600. These aircraft will be delivered from the end of 2023 through 2025, joining the existing fleet of nine ATR 72-600 already at the airline. Kao Shing-Hwang, Chairman of Mandarin Airlines, commented on the order,
“Expanding our ATR fleet will enable us to add capacity on existing routes and create new services to continue stimulating the local economy and tourism across Taiwan with the lowest emission regional aircraft. The unbeatable fuel efficiency of the ATR 72-600, further reinforced by the new PW127XT engine certified for 50% SAF blend, along with its versatility and comfort, make it possible for us to offer our passengers comfortable, reliable, affordable and responsible air services.”
Recovery in Asia
With orders in from two Asian airlines today, CEO of ATR Nathalie Tarnaud Laude believes this is a clear sign of recovery in the region. She commented,
“These new aircraft orders demonstrate clear recovery signs from South-East Asia, traditionally one of ATR’s largest markets. We are confident that, in due time, the efficiency of our product offering, the lack of second-hand aircraft available and traffic exceeding pre-covid levels in certain areas of the globe will induce a need for low-emission and versatile aircraft to support regional operators’ plans of both fleet replacement and growth.”
ATR didn't have the easiest 2022, with just 25 aircraft delivered out of a target of 30 plus. This year, it's looking to surpass that output by some measure, with a target in place for 40 aircraft deliveries by the end of the year. Tarnaud Laude commented, "we are well on track to do that," citing good behind-the-scenes work to secure the people and materials ATR needs to meet that goal.