Malaysia Airlines orders up to 36 ATR 72-600s The aircraft will be operated by the regional subsidiaries Firefly and MASwings

Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com) today signed a purchase agreement with Avions de Transport Regional G.I.E (ATR) for 20 firm ATR 72-600 turbo-prop aircraft plus option for 16 additional aircraft.

The total purchase is valued at over US$ 840 million, including options.

The purchase agreement is a follow up of the Memorandum of Understanding announced by the two signatories in December 2012, with deliveries commencing by mid-2013.

With today’s signing, Malaysia Airlines brings to 42 the total of firm ATR 72s purchased since 2007.

Malaysia Airlines currently has 22 ATR 72-500s in its fleet, operated by its subsidiaries Firefly (12) and MASwings (10). 

The introduction of these aircraft, the first ATR72-600s selected for the growing Malaysian and regional networks will reinforce the position of these two subsidiaries in the community markets and key business routes whilst reaffirming the Malaysia Airlines’ group as a major operator of ATRs in Asia.

The new ATR 72-600s will enable Firefly and MASwings to further expand their regional offering by adding new routes, frequencies and connectivity to Malaysia Airlines’ global network.

The aircraft features the latest innovation in terms of passenger comfort, with the award-winning Armonia cabin designed by world-renowned Italian design house Giugiaro Design and equipped with new slim-line seats, larger overhead bins and appealing LED lighting.

Our Group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, who was present at this ceremony said, “We have partnered ATR for the last five years, and we are satisfied with the outstanding performance and commercial results that our ATR 72s provide to our growing community networks. The ATR aircraft are clearly playing an important role in the development of Malaysia Airlines, as we connect regional destinations and enable seamless connectivity for passengers to larger aircraft at our main hubs. The new aircraft will further improve the guest experience on our community airlines as they connect more and more people across Malaysia and the surrounding regions.”

Ignatius Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Firefly, declared: “Our exclusive ATR 72 fleet has allowed us to develop a unique high frequency network out of Subang, Penang and Johor Baru, which greatly benefits Firefly, our Malaysian communities and the economy as well as the rest of the population in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT)”.

Captain Dato’ Nawawi Awang, Chief Executive Officer of MASwings, said: “We are glad that MASwings’ fleet of ATR 72s are efficiently serving the Sabah and Sarawak (East Malaysian states), and the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) communities and helping to further enhance the tourism industry and the socio-economic development of the region”.

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “Malaysia Airlines is a really prestigious partner for ATR in Asia. We are honoured with the renewal of their confidence and we are pleased to further develop our relationship with the introduction of the many advantages of the ATR 72-600, our newest product.”

“ATR aircraft are unrivalled in terms passenger comfort and environmental friendliness. We are delighted to be an active part of Malaysia Airlines’ development of the regional connectivity in Peninsular and East Malaysia. We are also very pleased to welcome Malaysia Airlines as one of our first operators to use our recently opened a Training Centre for ATR 72-600 series aircraft in Singapore”.