Taiwan's UNI AIR Will Be The First Carrier In Asia To Operate The ATR 72-600

The European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR has delivered the first ATR 72-600 aircraft in the livery of an Asian carrier. The aircraft, with registration number B-17001, has been delivered Thursday in Toulouse (France) to Taiwan-based carrier UNI AIR, a regional subsidiary of EVA AIR. This first Asian ATR 72-600 is expected to officially enter into service on October 11th, with a first commercial domestic flight from Taipei to Taidong.

With the introduction of its new fleet of 10 ATR 72-600s, which began Thursday, UNI AIR will progressively replace its fleet of Dash 8 Q-300s turboprops. The airline will thus add seat capacity and introduce new routes, frequencies and the newest standards of passenger comfort and interior design to its regional network.

Since ATR launched the ATR -600 series aircraft in late 2007, the newest ATR 72-600 has proven itself as the best-selling 70-seat regional aircraft worldwide, with some 240 orders since then. The ATR 72-600 received its EASA-certification in May 2011, thus becoming the world's most-recently certified 70-seat regional aircraft. Among other improvements, it features the most modern avionics suite, equipped with full-glass cockpit specifically developed for ATR by Thales, and totally redesigned cabin interiors, by Italian designer Giugiaro.

“This aircraft has proven already to be a commercial and operational success around the world," said Tony Su, Chairman of UNI AIR. "We are delighted to be further developing and upgrading our regional routes and service with such an outstanding and comfortable aircraft. The ATR 72-600 is the most modern, technologically advanced and greenest aircraft among its category. We are pleased to associate our brand with the newest ATR -600s and to take advantage of the many improvements and performances of the aircraft.”

"The arrival of the very first ATR 72-600 in Asia is also a milestone for ATR," added Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "In the last years, Asia has substantially developed regional aviation and we are pleased that many prestigious Asian carriers as UNI AIR have decided to expand with the newest ATR -600 series aircraft. The high standards of comfort of these aircraft, coupled with their low operating costs, provide substantial growth opportunities both to Asian carriers and to ATR. We are pleased to strongly contribute to the expansion of regional aviation in Asia with our green and most modern ATR -600s.”

(ATR 72-600 photo from file)

FMI: www.atraircraft.com