Toulouse, August 3, 2015 – The national flag carrier Myanmar National Airlines (previously known as Myanma Airways), took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 today. The airline, which currently operates a fleet of three ATR 72-500s, two ATR 72-200s and one ATR 42-300, had booked an order for six ATR 72-600s in 2014, along with options for six additional aircraft, in a deal valued at US$ 296 million. With these new ATR-600s, the last of which is scheduled for delivery in 2017, the airline is upgrading its regional aircraft fleet with the most modern and technologically-advanced aircraft. The arrival of these new aircraft will provide the additional seat capacity and further enhanced service required to meet the booming demand for tourism and business travel across the country.
Myanmar National Airlines is currently consolidating an ambitious strategy to expand its global presence in the country. In addition to the introduction of the newest ATR-600s, the airline is also setting up a modern MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) center in Yangon, with support from ATR. Today, there are 30 ATRs in operation across the country, flying with eight different airline liveries.
Than Tun, Managing Director of the airline, declared: “We are delighted to introduce the newest ATR-600 series aircraft into our fleet and to begin offering its world-class standards of comfort to our passengers. We are upgrading our fleet with an aircraft that is proving to be outstandingly successful, particularly in Asia, and which has shown itself to be the optimal choice both in terms of operational versatility and fuel efficiency. Upgrading to the newest ‘-600s’ came naturally after having successfully operated former ATR versions for years.”
Patrick de Castelbajac, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, stated: “We are honored to see the Myanmar national flag carrier’s confidence in us has been renewed and to be a part of their ambitious plan to expand their air and maintenance services. The ATR aircraft are the perfect solution to the needs of regional transportation across the country and within Southeast Asia. The number of ATRs flying in Myanmar has doubled in recent years, highlighting the aircraft’s suitability for the short-haul network and for main and small airfields.”
About the ATR 72-600:
Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horsepower per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 kg
Maximum load: 7,500 kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 km)
About Myanmar National Airlines:
Myanmar National Airways is the national flag carrier of Myanmar. Founded in 1949 as Union of Burma Airways, the company was then renamed Myanma Airways and will now be operating under the name of Myanmar National Airlines. Today, Myanmar National Airlines operates scheduled services to all major domestic destinations and is in the midst of a major restructuring plan aimed at establishing Myanmar National Airlines as a major carrier in the ASEAN region and beyond. The airline network will rapidly expand outside Myanmar with the introduction of ten Boeing 737-800 and 737-Max 8 in the near term, and with the renewal of its regional fleet with the brand-new ATR 72-600.
About ATR:
Founded in 1981, ATR has become the market’s world leader for regional aircraft with 90 seats or less. Since its creation, ATR has sold over 1,500 aircraft. With over 25 million flight hours, ATR models equip the fleets of 190 airlines in more than 90 countries. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Group company) and Airbus Group. Its head office is in Toulouse, France. ATR is ISO 14001 certified.
For additional information, log on to www.atraircraft.com. Follow ATR on its official YouTube channel: ATRbroadcast and on Twitter: @ATRaircraft.
