Bangkok Airways orders up to eight ATR 72-600s

On the occasion of the Singapore Airshow, the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR and the Thai airline Bangkok Airways today announced a contract for the sale of six firm ATR 72-600 aircraft and two options, valued at almost US$ 200 million. 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.

There are currently more than 270 ATR aircraft in operation in Asia-Pacific, flying the colors of 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 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.

Commenting on the new contract, Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways, declared: “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. 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.”

ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, Filippo Bagnato, stated that he was delighted to “renew the partnership with Bangkok Airways, an airline that was a pioneer in the introduction of our aircraft not only in Thailand, but throughout South-East Asia. Airlines like Bangkok Airways have allowed us to consolidate our presence in the region and to demonstrate the multiple advantages of our aircraft for short-haul networks” And he added, “We are very grateful that Bangkok Airways has renewed its confidence in ATR and we are proud to continue to move forward with them, now with the newest ATR -600s.”

About the ATR 72-600:

• Passenger capacity: 68 to 74 seats
• Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
• Maximum takeoff power: 2,750 horsepower per engine
• Maximum takeoff weight: 23,000 kg
• Maximum load: 7,500 kg
• Maximum flight range when fully loaded: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)

About Bangkok Airways:

Known as “Asia’s Boutique Airline,” Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) is Thailand’s first private airline since 1968. Taking off daily with about a hundred flights per day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Airways flies travelers from around the world to more than twenty exquisite destinations across Thailand and Asia. Samui, Phuket, Trat (Koh Chang), and the Maldives are amongst the hottest beach selections, while Sukhothai, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap (Angkor) are World Heritage sites.

Bangkok Airways has been named the Selling Long Haul’s Travel Agents Choice Awards Best Overseas Regional Airline for seven consecutive years since 2006, and is the only airline in Asia to have won the Skytrax Best Regional Airline for six consecutive years, from 2004 – 2009. As a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Bangkok Airways provides exceptional comfort and safety to all passengers.

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