Japan Air Commuter Takes Delivery of First ATR 72-600

Japan Air Commuter (JAC) has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600 following the conversion in June of one of its orders for an ATR 42-600 to the larger 72 version. The aircraft has a 70-seat configuration.

The first ATR 42-600 entered service with JAC in early 2017 and since then the airline has taken delivery of five ATR 42-600 aircraft. With the delivery of the ATR 72-600 JAC will benefit from the commonality between the models as the ATR 42 and 72 share a Single Type Rating and 90% of spare parts.

Hiroki Kato, President of Japan Air Commuter, said, “The performance of our existing ATR fleet has been highly satisfactory and this acquisition of an ATR 72-600 will allow us to be more flexible with our operations, matching capacity to demand more efficiently. The aircraft’s blend of one of the most modern cabins in regional aviation with excellent economics allows us to deliver the high standards of comfort that our passengers expect.”

Founded in 1983, Japan Air Commuter is a JAL Group company with Japan Airlines holding 60% as its main shareholder, and the remaining shares jointly held by the 12 Municipalities of the Amami Islands of Kagoshima, Kyushu.

Based in Kagoshima Airport, Japan Air Commuter operates 14 aircraft, 70 daily departures on 18 routes, and serves as the essential public air transport means for 1 million passengers annually between the beautiful Amami Islands and Western Japan.

See latest HD Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: JAC, Japan Air Commuter, ATR, Japan.