Summary
- ATR announced that Japan-based startup airline JCAS Airways and Avation PLC, a Singaporean aircraft lessor, have agreed on a placement of a single ATR 72-600 aircraft.
- The ATR 72-600 should be delivered to JCAS Airways in late-2025.
- However, this was not an announcement of a new order since the lessor ordered the aircraft on May 2, 2024.
ATR has finalized another deal at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, with the aircraft manufacturer announcing that a Japanese startup airline, JCAS Airways, and Singapore-based aircraft lessor Avation PLC have signed a letter of intent (LoI) for the placement of an ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Leasing an ATR 72-600
The LoI covered an agreement between JCAS Airways and Avation PLC, with the Japanese startup carrier leasing a single ATR 72-600 aircraft. According to the manufacturer, the turboprop should be delivered at the end of 2025.
ATR added that the aircraft should fly from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Toyama Airport (TOY) and Yonago Kitaro Airport (YGJ). Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium showed that no airlines have or have been planning to fly the route between January 2024 and June 2025.
Photo: M Dio Risdyan C | Shutterstock
Avation PLC ordered ten ART 72-600 aircraft on May 2, with the manufacturer disclosing that deliveries to the lessor would occur between 2025 and 2028.
At the time, Jeff Chatfield, the executive chairman of Avation PLC, remarked that over the years, the company has witnessed the exceptional performance of ATR aircraft, with the turboprops enjoying strong airline demand and secondary market value retention.
“Avation believes that over the next 10 years, low CO2, SAF compatible, latest technology aircraft such as the ATR 72, and potentially its EVO successor, will be an essential component for efficient travel worldwide.”
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Closer to launching operations
Nevertheless, on July 25, Chatfield remarked that the lessor wanted to congratulate JCAS Airways on its choice of the ATR 72-600, adding that by choosing the turboprop, the airline was investing in a more sustainable future for aviation, contributing to reinforcing much-needed connectivity between regions and communities.
Meanwhile, Seiji Shirane, the chief executive of JCAS Airways, noted that the LoI was a major milestone that took the airline closer to launching its operations.
“Japanese communities rely massively on regional air links for everything from healthcare and trade to business and tourism, and JCAS Airways will contribute to revitalizing our country, boosting its economy, making cultural experiences accessible, and maintaining a vital lifeline for the islanders of Japan.”
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Second deal at the Farnborough International Airshow
For ATR, this was the second deal that the aircraft manufacturer saw at the Farnborough International Airshow. However, it has to be noted that the JCAS Airways and Avation PLC was not an order announcement but an agreement for the placement of aircraft that have already been ordered by the lessor.
Photo: KKulikov | Shutterstock
Still, on July 24, ATR became the third manufacturer at the airshow to receive orders for commercial aircraft, with Air Tahiti purchasing four ATR 72-600 aircraft. On that day, and so far, on July 25, neither Airbus nor Boeing have announced any orders.
Throughout the event, De Havilland Canada has also secured orders for its aircraft, including deals for second-hand DHC Dash 8 Q400s, which will be refurbished before they are placed with their operators, and for new DHC Dash 6 Twin Otters.
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Day 3 only had a single commercial aircraft order, involving ATR and Air Tahiti.