Turboprop manufacturer ATR is increasing its presence in Japan, looking to capitalize on the demand for more regional connections in the post-COVID environment.

ATR aircraft have been flying in Japan for six years, and there are currently 15 in operation with three airlines. The largest operator is Japan Air Commuter (JAC), which ch-aviation.com data shows has a fleet of 11, made up of nine ATR 42-600 and two ATR 72-600 aircraft. JAC received its latest ATR 42-600 in May, with the first leg of the France-Japan ferry flight using a blend including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Japan is committed to reducing CO2 emissions and preserving its biodiversity, and ATR supports that by connecting communities and businesses across the Japanese archipelago sustainably and responsibly.

Sustainability and connection are the key ATR messages

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Japan Air Commuter's latest ATR 42-600 has a special sustainability livery. Photo: ATR

The new ATR has a specific livery representing the leaves of Kaikouzu, the tree of the Kagoshima Prefecture. The leaves are Japan's symbol of the preservation of nature and represent JAC's commitment to connecting areas that coexist with nature. The airline flies to several World Natural Heritage sites in Japan, including Yakushima, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima and Okinawa, as well as many other areas rich and diverse in wildlife.

Two other Japanese airlines operate ATRs, Amakusa Airlines with one ATR 42-600 and Hokkaido Air System (HAS), part of the Japan Airlines Group, with three ATR 42-600 aircraft. While the current ATR fleet is small, ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli says he can see 100 ATRs flying in Japan in a few years. He says that "Air transport is crucial for the archipelago where air routes are essential for domestic travel and transportation," adding:

"We want to help ensure that aviation contributes to a prosperous future for Japan by connecting its regions ever more sustainably and affordably. Most of the new ATRs will replace older, less efficient models and will connect islands and remote regions with the major cities."

The ATR STOL turboprop is gathering interest in Japan

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PNG Air is the launch customer for the ATR STOL and a current user of the ATR 72-600. Photo: PNG Air

Japan has two regional airlines with ATRs on order, Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) with two ATR 42-600 and Toki Air with two ATR 72-600 aircraft. Toki Air plans to fly to Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata, which has a runway of just 890 meters (2,900 feet). Toki is discussing taking the new ATR 42-600S, the ATR short take-off and landing (STOL) version that can land on runways as short as 800 meters. ATR says there are ten airports in Japan with short airstrips that the turboprop STOL variant can land at and keep those communities connected to the rest of the country.

Japan's sustainability goal is to cut emissions by 46% by 2030. With the ATRs burning 40% less fuel and emitting 40% fewer emissions than a regional jet, turboprops can play a primary role in achieving the national goal. ATR says introducing the new Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engine, which gives a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency, and the potential to use 100% SAF, means the sustainability gains will be even more significant.

Turboprops have played a major role in keeping remote communities connected during the pandemic, particularly in the Asia-Pacific regions. Many remote communities and small islands only have air connections and rely on airplanes, particularly turboprops, for their needs. Keeping them connected sustainably is a bonus, and ATR has the right aircraft to do that, and so will Embraer when its new turboprop arrives.

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