Taiwan-based UNI Air, a subsidiary of EVA Air, has signed a contract with European regional turboprop manufacturer ATR to purchase 10 ATR 72-600s. Deliveries are scheduled to start in third quarter 2012. The contract was formalized with a ceremony in Taiwan today.

UNI Air will use its new ATR-600s to progressively replace the Dash-8-300 aircraft it now has in its fleet. The regional carrier’s new ATRs will be equipped with advanced technologies such as a glass cockpit avionics suite and redesigned cabin interiors. The aircraft will feature Armonia cabin especially created for ATR by Italy’s Giugiaro Design and equipped for passengers’ enhanced comforts with lighter-weight slim-line seats and larger overhead bins that will accommodate a maximum number of carry-on bags.

UNI Air Chairman Tony Su said, “We are pleased to update our regional fleet with the most modern aircraft on the market. The new ATR -600 series will enable us to give our passengers the highest standards of comfort and, at the same time, optimize our fuel and operating costs. We are looking forward to introducing our new ATR aircraft and operating them in Asia”.

On behalf of the aircraft manufacturer, ATR Chief Executive Officer Filippo Bagnato added, “We are honored to welcome UNI Air among our steadily growing ATR family. This contract confirms the attractiveness of our aircraft in the rapidly growing Asian region. In the last several years, Asia and the Pacific region have represented some 50% of our total order intakes”.

As of today, 50 Asia-Pacific operators are flying 250 aircraft in the burgeoning air-travel market. ATR’s delivery schedule currently includes approximately 100 aircraft on order for Asia-Pacific carriers.

Source and image: EADS