Singapore Airshow 2018: Bangkok Airways to buy 4 ATR 72-600s worth over US$100m

BANGKOK Airways, a regional airline based in Thailand, signed a deal with ATR to buy four ATR 72-600s worth over US$100 million.

This took place at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday.

This purchase will add to the carrier's current fleet of 15 ATR aircraft comprising nine ATR 72-600s and six ATR 72-500s.

At the signing, Anawat Leelawatwatana, Bangkok Airways' senior vice-president for finance and accounting said that the first aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

He added that the new aircraft would be part of the airline's plan to expand into new destinations around the region, such as those in Indochina.

Christian Scherer, chief executive of ATR, said: "ATR aircraft last year created 70 new routes in Asian countries, generating over one million additional seats and revenue opportunities for their operators.

"This ability to generate business opportunities is clearly a key point of our outstanding expansion in Asia."