Tag Archives: ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600)

Eastern Airways adds its first ATR 72-600

Eastern Airways on September 27, 2017 introduced a new 72-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft to its fleet, the first of its kind to operate in the regional airline’s network.

The modern aircraft will operate on the Aberdeen to Scatsta (Shetland Isles) oil contract charter services for the Integrated Aviation Consortium (IAC).

This is the first of two new ATRs being added, reflecting the airline’s on-going commitment to the oil and gas UK-based sector.

The aircraft was delivered from the production line in Toulouse, France, earlier this month and will enter service in the coming weeks.  Tony Burgess, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: “These efficient, modern aircraft help us to fulfil a vital role and provide a long-term commitment supporting the oil and gas industry.

The aircraft has twin turbo props using two powerful Pratt and Whitney 172m engines, giving the aircraft a maximum cruise speed of 317mph.
The aircraft manufacturers serial number (MSN 1448) and is being leased from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC).

Eastern Airways celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year. The airline operates two Embraer 170s, three Embraer 145 jets, nine SAAB 2000s, and is the largest operator in the world of Jetstream 41 aircraft with 17.

Previously on September 1, 2017 Eastern AIrways made this announcement:

Island communities in particular will, from September 1, 2017), enjoy the added benefits of extra choice, lower fares and a wealth of onward connections as Flybe’s new joint venture flights with alliance partner, Eastern Airways, take to the skies for the first time in Scotland.

To further mark its longstanding commitment to serving the residents of Orkney, Shetland and Stornoway, Flybe’s CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener will this morning announce details of an exciting new local communities’ initiative.

Europe’s largest regional airline will provide a continuation of six branded Flybe routes now operated by Eastern Airways’ aircraft from: Sumburgh to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Aberdeen to Kirkwall and from Glasgow to Stornoway and Manchester, with frequency as follows.

The airlines’ partnership will also see the Embraer 170 jet service operating on Shetland routes for the first time, shaving some 30 minutes off the recognised flight times.

FREQUENCY OF THE SIX ROUTES:

Aberdeen – Sumburgh & Kirkwall: Up to 3 flights a day
Edinburgh & Glasgow – Sumburgh: Daily flights
Glasgow – Stornoway: Up to 3 flights a day
Glasgow to Manchester: Up to four flights a day

Eastern Airways had previously signed a Heads of Terms agreement with Flybe forming an alliance between both UK airlines. The aim is for contracts to be finalized and signed within a matter of weeks.

The agreement includes a five year franchise partnership whereby Eastern Airways will operate its scheduled network under the Flybe brand. In addition to this, Eastern Airways will provide four aircraft to operate a number of existing Flybe branded routes from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester under the Flybe franchise.

As part of the franchise partnership, Eastern Airways routes will operate with Flybe’s BE flight codes. Eastern Airways livery will be retained on its aircraft for scheduled services and the carrier’s ad-hoc charter services and corporate shuttle operations.

Photo: Eastern Airways.

FAT introduces its first ATR 72-600

FAT – Far Eastern AIr Transport (Taipei-Songshan) has officially introduced its first ATR 72-600 (ATR 72-212A) (B-28068, msn 1110, ex Jettime OY-JZA) at a hangar event at Songshan Airport. FAT is planning to start operations soon with new type after CAA certification.

All copyright photos by Manuel Negrerie.

Route Map:

Mandarin Airlines orders six ATR 72-600s

ATR and Taiwan’s Mandarin Airlines, a regional subsidiary of Taiwan’s flag carrier China Airlines, has signed a contract for the purchase of six ATR 72-600s, valued at some $160 million (US).

With the acquisition of these brand new ATR -600s, Mandarin Airlines becomes a new member of the ATR family. The aircraft will operate within Taiwan’s domestic network, featuring the highest standards of passenger comfort and the most advanced technologies. With its new fleet of ATR 72-600s, Mandarin Airlines will benefit from the lowest operating costs among all 70-seat regional aircraft, and will be able to compete in a highly challenging market with cutting-edge and affordable air services.

Besides the contract signing, ATR is also willing to provide engineering and technical support to China Airlines and its subsidiaries to set-up in-house capabilities for ATR heavy maintenance, up to C-checks.

Air Caraïbes takes delivery of its first ATR 72-600

Air Caraïbes took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 on December 12, 2016. The aircraft, the pictured F-WWEV became F-OSIX (msn 1384) when it was handed over in Toulouse and sports a new livery for Air Caraïbes Simply.

The aircraft is part of an order for three ATR 72-600s, placed in 2014 and delivery of which will continue until 2019.

The new 74-seater ATR 72-600s have 4 more seats than the current ATR 72-500s in operation, enabling the company to increase its capacity throughout its entire regional network.

To date, Air Caraïbes operates its ATR aircraft on various connections between Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Lucia, as well as on longer routes to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).

Copyright Photo: Air Caraibes Simply ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEV (F-OSIX) (msn 1384) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 936090. (Eurospot). Image: 936090.

TransAsia Airways suspends operations and will be liquidated

TransAsia Airways (Taipei) suspended operations on Tuesday November 22, 2016 amid reports of financial difficulties and an on-going investigation..

The company convened a special board meeting. As a result of the meeting, the company announced it would be liquidated in the wake of two deadly plane crashes, financial losses and an insider trading probe.

TransAsia’s business was dealt major blows by two fatal accidents on domestic flights in the past two years. A flight from Kaohisung crashed in Penghu on July 23, 2014, leaving 48 of the 58 people on board dead, and another flight heading to Kinmen crashed into a river minutes after taking off from Taipei Songshan Airport in February 2015, killing 43 of the 58 people on board.

Founded in 1951, the airline was Taiwan’s first private-owned domestic air carrier. It was taken over by the Goldsun Group in 1983 and was listed on Taiwan’s stock market on November 1, 2011.

TransAsia opened budget carrier subsidiary V Air in December 2014, but it struggled to stay afloat, and its operations came to an end on October 1, 2016 due to financial losses.

Copyright Photo: TransAsia Airways ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEC B-22821 (msn 1251) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 928568.

Route Map:

transasia-11-2016-route-map

UNI Air’s unveils its 2016 “Bad Badtz-Maru” (Bad Penguin) special livery

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/UNI-Air-UNI-Airways/i-nfZwmWJ/A

UNI Air on September 13, 2016 unveiled its first special livery on one of its new ATR 72-600s. The pictured B-17001 features the Japanese mangas (comics) named “Bad Badtz-Maru” [Bad Penguin], featuring some Sanrio characters.

This is a first time the EVA Air Group has applied this kind of livery of unique characters. The group is expected to drop some of their Airbus A330 “Hello Kitty” liveries in near future [the contract will soon be concluded). This unique ATR 72-600 will serve exclusively on domestic routes such as to Makung from Taipei Songshan Airport, in order to develop tourism in Taiwan.

Copyright Photo: UNI Air ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) B-17001 (msn 1044) (Bad Badtz-Maru – Bad Penguin) TSA (Manuel Negrerie). Image: 934842.