ATR delivers first ATR72-600 to Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways, ATR’s long-term and loyal customer, took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 at a special ceremony in Toulouse, France. The handover marked a key milestone in the carrier’s development as it plans to take delivery of nine new ATR aircraft from now until 2017. The new-comer will join Bangkok Airways’ existing fleet of ATR 72-500s and will be operated on the airline’s expanding network of domestic and regional services

The introduction of these new 70-seat ATR 72-600s, the most fuel efficient aircraft in their category, will contribute to Bangkok Airways’ economic performance in the long run as the airline expands its fleet capacity and widens the scope of its activity. These new generation ATRs are equipped with a new full-glass cockpit and feature a high comfort layout with larger overhead bins. The ATR 72-600s are not only known for their reliability and technology but are also the top-selling turboprop aircraft on the market.

There are currently more than 300 ATR aircraft in operation in Asia-Pacific, flying the colors of more than 50 airlines. In recent years, ATR has emerged as the preferred choice of Asian airlines when it comes to regional aircraft. ATR has taken orders for 430 aircraft from airlines in Asia-Pacific since 2005, a figure that accounts for two-thirds of total sales of regional aircraft below 90 seats in the region.