ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, announced the signing of an order for four ATR 72-600 aircraft with Air Tahiti, along with an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled between 2025 and 2028, highlighting Air Tahiti’s long-term vision and confidence in ATR’s products for connecting and serving the archipelago’s communities responsibly.
As a dedicated user of ATR aircraft for nearly 40 years, Air Tahiti has been crucial in providing essential connectivity to the communities in Tahiti and its islands. The airline currently operates a fleet of 11 aircraft, comprising nine ATR 72-600 and two ATR 42-600. The introduction of these new aircraft will enable Air Tahiti to address both flight frequency and capacity, further enhancing its service offering and passenger experience.
The Tahitian carrier continues to renew its fleet with new-generation turboprops that boast the lowest CO2 emissions per trip in the regional market. The GMA, ATR’s flagship pay-by-the-hour maintenance package, renewed for eight years, will leverage ATR’s expertise as both an aircraft manufacturer and service provider to further optimise operations, enhance performance and rationalise costs. Under this comprehensive agreement, ATR will provide repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, ensuring that Air Tahiti maintains the highest standards of reliability and efficiency.
Edouard Wong Fat, Air Tahiti’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted: “Air Tahiti has been a cornerstone in Tahiti and its islands for more than 65 years, facilitating not just travel but a better quality of life. By ensuring our communities have easy access to essential goods, services, and cultural experiences, we’ve also helped boost the local economy and tourism. The ATR fleet has been pivotal in these efforts and it will continue to enable us to offer reliable and responsible connectivity.”
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized: “Air Tahiti’s continued trust, earned over many years, is a testament to our commitment to providing the most efficient, comfortable, and low-emission regional aircraft. In French Polynesia, where air services are particularly vital, our aircraft, emitting 45% less CO2 compared to similar-size regional jets, are ideal for responsible travel. This region, with the shortest and one of the longest ATR flights between islands, highlights the importance of our mission. At ATR, we focus on supporting affordable regional mobility while aligning with sustainability goals.”
The new aircraft will significantly improve regional connectivity in the region. By linking communities, they will stimulate economic growth through increased business activity, tourism, and investment opportunities.
About Air Tahiti
Air Tahiti is the leading inter-island carrier in French Polynesia, based at Faa’a International Airport in Papeete. The company is a driving force in the region’s social and economic development. It acquired its first ATRs in January 1987. Its network progressively expanded to include 48 domestic destinations and one international route to the Cook Islands. Air Tahiti’s ATR fleet, all of which have an ETOPS 120 rating, connects over 90% of the inhabited islands of French Polynesia.
About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.
Source: ATR
Photo Credit: ATR