Hokkaido Air System Company, part of the JAL Group Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ATR for the purchase of two firm ATR 42-600s with an option for a third.
It is planned that Hokkaido Air will begin operating these aircraft from 2020 to replace the airlines fleet of aging Saab 340's. The carriers President, Yoichiro Kuwano said, “The ATR 42-600 benefits from a wide cabin, comparable to that of medium-sized aircraft and will significantly improve cabin comfort for our passengers. Also, the aircraft has extensive experience with operations in cold winter, which will increase the reliability of the operation in cold Hokkaido. With this new aircraft and the safe operation system we’ve established, we will continue to provide reliable and comfortable travel to local businesses and communities.”
Colombian airline EasyFly was another carrier to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ATR at Farnborough International Airshow 2018, this time for five ATR -600 series aircraft. The order will comprise of three are ATR 72-600s and two of the smaller ATR 42-600s.
EasyFly has been an ATR customer since 2014 when it began the progressive replacement of its fleet of Jetstream 41s. The new ATR 72-600s will mainly serve growing point-to-point operations from the hub of northern city of Bucaramanga, a city with one of the fastest developing economies in Colombia. The ATR 42-600s will be used to further expand current operations, thus boosting regional point-to-point connectivity with the aim to support and increase ongoing development of local economies.
EasyFly President, Alfonso Avila, said: “EasyFly has experienced double-digit traffic and revenue growth every year since the incorporation of ATR aircraft into our fleet and we intend to continue our development by acquiring both the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. We understand that the modern -600 series is the best aircraft to support our continuing growth as its economics allow us to offer our passengers attractive pricing whilst also delivering them the standards of comfort that they would enjoy on single-aisle aircraft.”
Also confirmed at the airshow was an agreement with Azul, the Brazilian carrier for the renewal of their Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). This new ten-year contract covers the repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, along with propeller availability and maintenance, plus an on-site stock support. Covering Azul’s whole ATR fleet, currently made up of 33 aircraft, this tailor-made support package represents ATR’s biggest maintenance contract.
Flavio Costa, Vice-President Operations of Azul, commented the announcement: “As Brazil’s leading airline brand, serving more than 100 destinations with 739 daily flights, Azul demands industry-leading reliability and availability. Since we started our operations in 2008, we have been the fastest growing airline in Brazil and ATR has been, and will continue to be, a reliable partner all along the way, making sure that we benefit from the appropriate support, as, when and where needed, to make the most of our aircraft.”
