Thailand’s airline Bangkok Airways and ATR have signed a contract for the purchase of four additional ATR 72-600s.
The signing ceremony took place at the Singapore Airshow, The deal is valued at over US$ 100 million and will enable the airline to continue the modernisation and harmonisation process of its regional fleet around the ATR 72-600s. Today, Bangkok Airways operate a fleet of 15 ATR aircrafts, nine ATR 72-600s and six ATR 72-500s that are being progressively replaced with the introduction of the new ATR -600s. Deliveries of these four additional aircraft; configured with 70-seats, will take place between October 2018 and March 2019.
Bangkok Airways, Asia’s Boutique Airline, has been operating ATR aircraft for over two decades. In recent years, the airline has considerably increased its ATR fleet, from eight aircrafts in early-2014 to the current 15, developing new routes, increasing frequency and introducing the comfort and operational versatility of the ATR -600s across its domestic and regional network.
The airline is a very good example of the suitability of the ATR aircraft for short-haul and inter-island operations in South East Asia. ATR aircraft feature the lowest operating costs and the greenest credentials among all regional aircraft of their seat category. They have been, by far, the preferred choice of South East Asian carriers in the last decade. Since 2007, the number of ATRs operating in ASEAN countries has multiplied by five, from 50 to nearly 250.
Commenting on the signature at the Singapore Airshow, Mr.Christophe Clarenc, Bangkok Airways’ Senior Vice President - Technical declared: “Since the introduction of our very first ATR back in 1994 we have built up a solid and fruitful partnership that has substantially contributed to providing air services all over the country, thus developing business and tourism. The ATRs have proven, for years, to be the right aircraft to create new routes and efficiently expanding regional networks. The progressive harmonisation of our regional fleet with ATR 72-600s brings our high-end customers the best standards of comfort, and further consolidates ourselves as Asia’s Boutique Airline.”
Mr.Christian Scherer, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, declared: “We warmly thank Bangkok Airways for their commitment and long-standing confidence towards our aircraft. ATR has experienced a dramatic growth in Asia over the last decade, and Bangkok Airways has strongly contributed to this success not only with the expansion of their fleet of ATRs, but also because are a benchmark when it comes to developing networks with eco-efficient and versatile aircraft. More globally, the ATR aircraft created last year some 70 new routes in Asian countries, generating over one million of additional seats and revenue opportunities for their operators. This ability to generate business opportunities is clearly a key point of our outstanding expansion in Asia”.
