Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) has taken delivery of its first ATR 42-600 covered by the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement contract (GMA). The Japanese regional carrier will start commercial operations on the new ATR in July 2023 to support its domestic activities.
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, said: “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 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 said: “Air transport is crucial for Japan, where air routes are essential for domestic travel and transportation. As such, ORC is boosting the local economy every day by offering vital links for local communities from Nagasaki and the surrounding islands. At ATR, we are pleased to count ORC as one of our new customers and to contribute to supporting their mission of 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.”
ORC plans to operate the new ATR connecting Nagasaki, on the island of Kyushu in Japan to other regions. Meanwhile, currently, there are 15 ATR aircraft operational in Japan. Over the next ten years, ATR foresees a demand for 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.