The aircraft (ATR 42-600) will replace the airline’s existing 39-seat turboprop, enabling Amakusa Airlines to offer greater capacity thus playing an even larger role in developing tourism while most importantly better serving the local people.
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), the world’s largest regional aircraft leasing company, rounded off a successful week at the Farnborough Airshow with the signing of a Letter of Intent with Japan’s Amakusa Airlines for a sole ATR 42-600. When the Kumamoto Prefecture based regional airline accepts the aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2015, it will become the first ATR 42 operator in Japan. The announcement follows hard on the heels of NAC, the biggest customer of ATR series aircraft, signing a total order for 75 ATR 42-600s, in a deal valued at over US$1.55 billion.
Established in 1998, Amakusa Airlines provides regular scheduled regional services connecting the Amakusa City off the coast of mainland Kyushuu in southwestern Japan to large cities to such destinations as Kumamoto,Fukuoka and Osaka, offering up to 10 frequencies daily.
“We are delighted to make this agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital and look forward to welcoming this brand new ATR 42-600,” commented Takashi Yoshimura President of Amakusa Airlines. “The ATR 42-600 is a fine aircraft, combining excellent economics and versatile characteristics with superior cabin comfort which our passengers will love.”
The aircraft will replace the airline’s existing 39-seat turboprop, enabling Amakusa Airlines to offer greater capacity thus playing an even larger role in developing tourism while most importantly better serving the local people.
NAC is first leasing company to order the ATR 42-600
Announcing its latest order for ATR 42-500s on Monday 15th June at a press conference with ATR’s newly appointed CEO Patrick de Castelbajac, Nordic Aviation Capital Chairman Martin Moller said NAC was proud to be the first leasing company to order the smaller ATR variant. “We love this product and our order (for the smaller 46-50 seat variant) reflects the high level of confidence we have with ATR. As a specialist regional aircraft leasing company we will be able to help regional airlines around the world address the replacement market for sub 50-seat turboprops with our tailored leasing solutions. We have plenty of interest in this aircraft,” he added.
Photo caption (left to right): The Nordic Aviation Capital team at Farnborough Show. Pierre McNamara, Jan Von Benzon, Enrique Abeledo, Catherine Hayden, Jim Murphy, Trevor Hall, Mats Ericson, Martin Moller and Soren Overgaard
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