Orders have been made by the Taiwan-based UNI Air,a subsidiary of EVA Air with a European regional turboprop manufacturer after signing a contract for a purchase of 10 ATR 72-600s.

It is expected that the orders will be ready for delivery by July - September 2012

This procurement is aimed at updating the Dash-8-300 aircraft that are now used in its operating fleet after the successful replacement of the new ATR-600s.

The regional carrier’s new ATRs come in fully equipped features with advancements in technology such as a glass cockpit avionics suite and cabin interiors that are restructured.

Also notable feature is the aircraft’s Armonia cabin especially crafted for ATR by Italy’s Giugiaro Design that are tailor fit for passengers’ enhanced comforts for its light weight slim line seats and overhead bins that will accommodate a maximum number of carry-on bags.

We are pleased to update our regional fleet with the most modern aircraft on the market. The new ATR -600 series will enable us to give our passengers the highest standards of comfort and, at the same time, optimize our fuel and operating costs,” UNI Air Chairman Tony Su said. We are looking forward to introducing our new ATR aircraft and operating them in Asia,” he added.

As of today, 50 Asia Pacific operators are flying 250 aircraft in the burgeoning air travel market. ATR’s delivery schedule currently includes approximately 100 aircraft on order for Asia Pacific carriers.

ATR Chief Executive Officer Filippo Bagnato said, “In the last several years, Asia and the Pacific region have represented some 50% of our total order intakes.”