TOULOUSE, FRANCE — Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR and new Japanese regional carrier Toki Air announce the delivery of an ATR 72-600 via lessor NAC. Covered by a ten-year ATR Global Maintenance Agreement, the aircraft will support Toki Air's mission of revitalizing Niigata city and the surrounding regions of Japan.
The Japanese startup plans to start operations in 2023. The carrier will be the fourth airline to operate ATR aircraft in Japan. Toki Air has chosen the name of an ancestral bird, also called "Japanese crested ibis", mainly living on Sado island.
This is a symbol of the preservation of nature in Japan. It represents the airline's commitment to connecting areas that coexist with nature, operating the lowest CO2 emissions and most fuel-efficient aircraft. The new ATR 72-600 sports a livery representing the spread wings of Toki.
Masaki Hasegawa, Representative Director of Toki Air, commented: "We are pleased to start operating our ATR 72-600 aircraft soon. Thanks to their unrivaled versatility and responsible and affordable performance, ATR aircraft are the ideal choice for us as an airline and for our country. This first aircraft will allow us to serve our higher purpose by providing a responsible and reliable air connection to the communities of the Niigata Prefecture and surrounding regions. We look forward to seeing Toki flying in the skies of Japan."
ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, added: "Our long-term relationship with NAC and the confidence of the lessors' community in our aircraft allow new airlines such as Toki Air to offer their passengers the most modern and sustainable aircraft on the regional market. The support we will be able to provide through the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement will also ensure the most reliable and efficient services."
Norman C.T. Liu, President & CEO of NAC, said: "We are pleased to welcome Toki Air as our newest customer. We wish all the team at Toki Air every success and look forward to a long-term, successful partnership."
ATR aircraft have proven to be successful in connecting communities and businesses across the Japanese archipelago. There are currently 15 ATR aircraft flying across the country, and ATR foresees a potential for 100 ATR aircraft in the medium term.
