The turboprop returns
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Malaysia Airlines just signed a US$183 million deal to purchase 10 ATR 72-500s for its domestic wing Firefly, with options for 10 more. The sale puts 20-year-old ATR over the 900-aircraft mark.
Though the world increasingly squints at airlines’ emissions, many smaller carriers still use old, half-full, carbon-belching 150-seat B737-300s and 180-seat A320s or smaller Russian relics on short-haul runs.
With Monday’s Cambodian air crash and rising environmental concerns, the fuel efficient and cost effective 72-seat ATRs offer a high-tech turbo-prop solution that could provide the Greater Mekong Sub-region with safer, greener planes.
MAS is progressively replacing its 50-plane Fokker fleet with ATRs for use on its domestic hubs in Penang, Subang, Yohoar Baharau, and Kota Kinabalu. One could envision something similar in the GMS.
Short-haul destinations throughout the region are begging to be accessed, but the aircraft often used leave fliers squeamish. When a longer bus ride over twisting mountain roads becomes the best option, it’s time to step back.
The ATR-72s that MAS bought will be equipped with the “Elegance” cabin, Light Emitting Diode (LED), Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and frontline innovations in passenger comfort. Its smaller ATR-42 sister offers similar features.
A Siem Reap-Sihanoukville repeat will hopefully be avoided on short runs to places like Sapa in Vietnam and Pakse, Laos. The upcoming Lao Ecotourism Forum reminds us that that the region wants green. Some say the turboprop is the answer.
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