Boutique Airline Has Been Operating ATRs For 20 Years

European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR and the Thai airline Bangkok Airways have announced a contract for the sale of six firm ATR 72-600 aircraft and two options, valued at almost $ 200 million. The announcement was made at the Singapore Air Show. Bangkok Airways has been operating ATR aircraft for two decades and currently operates a fleet of eight ATR 72-500s. The first new ATR 72-600s will be delivered later this year, allowing Bangkok Airways to start renewing its fleet and to offer all the new comfort and cabin features of the ATR-600s to its customers.

The ATRs are the ideal solution for connecting Thailand’s main cities to tourist destinations all over the country and beyond. Bangkok Airways has been a forerunner in opening new exclusive gem destinations for its passengers. The economics and the passenger comfort of the ATR aircraft have been key factors in the development of Bangkok Airways as Asia’s Boutique Airline. For 20 years, the ATR fleet has enabled the airline to offer a unique network, expand into new tourism destinations and further develop local economy and social connectivity between the communities in Thailand.

ATR has taken orders for more than 320 aircraft from airlines in Asia-Pacific since 2005, a figure that accounts for two-thirds of total sales of regional aircraft with less than 90 seats in the region.

“The arrival of these new ATR 72-600 aircraft is the logical continuation of a long-standing partnership that has achieved excellent results over time," said Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways. "The ATRs are an integral part of our airline's identity and of our top-quality services to the most attractive tourist destinations in the country”. He added: “We are looking forward to the arrival of our new ATRs, as they will allow us to offer even more comfortable flying conditions to our customers.”

FMI: www.atraircraft.com