ORC Takes delivery of its first ATR 42-600 Covered by an ATR GMA
The Japanese carrier will support the development of local communities in Nagasaki with the most efficient and sustainable regional aircraft
Toulouse, December 16, 2022 – ORC (Oriental Air Bridge), Japanese regional airline, today took delivery of its first ATR 42-600 covered by an ATR Global Maintenance Agreement contract (GMA). The aircraft, delivered in Toulouse was ordered in July and carries the brand-new ORC livery. ORC will plan to start operating the ATR aircraft in July 2023 to further support the airline’s domestic activities in providing reliable essential connectivity from Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The ATR 42-600 is configured with a 48-seat cabin and equipped with the latest avionics.
With the signing of an ATR GMA contract, ORC will also take full advantage of manufacturer expertise to support its ATR aircraft in service, thereby reducing maintenance costs while boosting operations.
Mr. Tanaka, Senior Managing Director from ORC, says “We are pleased to start operating our ATR 42-600 aircraft soon. With the unrivalled versatility and sustainable performance of ATR aircraft, this delivery represents a step forward for us to better serve our higher purpose of providing air link to revitalise the remote islands around Nagasaki Prefecture, in the most responsible way. We will also be able to offer our passengers the highest standards of comfort and modernity, while ensuring cost effectiveness through our ATR Global Maintenance Agreement. We look forward to welcoming passengers on our flights to visit the remote island of Nagasaki where some beautiful world heritages are located.”
ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, comments “Air transport is crucial for Japan, where air routes are essential for domestic travel and transportation. As such, ORC is boosting local economy every day by offering vital links for local communities from Nagasaki and surrounded islands. At ATR, we are pleased to count ORC as one of our new customers and to contribute to support their mission in providing them with the most affordable and responsible aircraft in the market. The support we will be able to provide through the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement will also ensure the most reliable and efficient services for their fleet.”
In countries committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and preserving biodiversity such as Japan, ATR aircraft represent the perfect solution: they connect communities and businesses across the archipelago in the most responsible way. There are currently 15 ATR aircraft flying across the country. Over the next ten years, ATR foresees a demand of 100 regional aircraft in Japan. Most of these will replace older, less efficient models, and will connect islands and remote regions with the country’s major cities.
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.