Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd signs for ATR 42-600s
Farnborough, 18 July, 2018 – Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd (HAC), a JAL Group Company and ATR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of two firm ATR 42-600s with an option for a third. HAC will begin operating these aircraft from 2020. These aircraft will replace HAC’s fleet of Saab 340s taking advantage of the superior economics of the cutting-edge ATR -600 series.
Yoichiro Kuwano, President of HAC, declared: “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.”
ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, said: “We are delighted to see that ATR is the right aircraft for Japan. With economics that are unmatched by any other aircraft the ATR makes perfect sense financially but beyond this, JAL Group’s endorsement is testimony to the relevance of our product in a most advanced society that is concerned with comfort, environmentally-friendliness and the benefits of regional connectivity.”
About Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd
Established on 30 September, 1997, Hokkaido Air System began operations on 28 March.1998, with Japan Airlines (57.3%), Hokkaido government (19.5%), Sapporo city (13.5%) as major shareholders. Hokkaido Air System operates three aircraft (SAAB340B-WT) and 26 daily departures on five routes; between Sapporo-okadama and Rishiri/Kushiro/Misawa, Misawa/Hakodate and Okushiri, based in Sapporo-okadama airport.
Yoichiro Kuwano, President of HAC, declared: “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.”
ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, said: “We are delighted to see that ATR is the right aircraft for Japan. With economics that are unmatched by any other aircraft the ATR makes perfect sense financially but beyond this, JAL Group’s endorsement is testimony to the relevance of our product in a most advanced society that is concerned with comfort, environmentally-friendliness and the benefits of regional connectivity.”
About Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd
Established on 30 September, 1997, Hokkaido Air System began operations on 28 March.1998, with Japan Airlines (57.3%), Hokkaido government (19.5%), Sapporo city (13.5%) as major shareholders. Hokkaido Air System operates three aircraft (SAAB340B-WT) and 26 daily departures on five routes; between Sapporo-okadama and Rishiri/Kushiro/Misawa, Misawa/Hakodate and Okushiri, based in Sapporo-okadama airport.
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72 aircraft the best-selling aircraft in the less than 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company’s employees is to help everyone, no matter where they are in the world, to connect and develop in a responsible manner. Thanks to the efficiency of turboprop technology and the benefits of the company’s focus on continuous innovation, ATR aircraft open more than 140 new routes every year, burn up less fuel and emit less CO2 than regional jets. For all of these reasons, ATR aircraft have been chosen by some 200 companies in 100 countries around the world. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.