Page 15 - AAA OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2019 Online Magazine

[ REGIONAL TRANSPORT ] [ REGIONAL TRANSPORT ]

Finding New

Markets

ATR IS LOOKING TO BUILD ON ITS ENTRY INTO
THE SOUTH KOREAN MARKET

Atul Chandra

A new Korean carrier, Hi Air will soon commence operations with The airline selected ATR aircraft because they
two ATR 72-500 aircraft, making it the first ATR operator in South deliver at least 40 per cent lower fuel burn and
Korea. Hi Air is backed by South Korea’s leading transportation at least 40 per cent lower CO2 emissions than
company, High Global Group and plans to launch operations in jet aircraft in the same size category. As a new
the coming months. It is currently going through the air operator airline, the presence of many ATR operators
certificate (AOC) application process with the regulator. The new in the Asia Pacific region and ATR’s strong
carrier plans to grow its ATR fleet by 2023 to 10 airplanes at the customer support network in the region were
rate of two new aircraft each year. also a factor for their selection of the regional
transport type.
ATR is bullish on its prospects in South Korea, where it is promot-
ing the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600. “There is renewed interest Hi Air will commence scheduled services from
in Korea for regional aircraft and a growing appreciation for the Ulsan, Gimpo, and Yeosu once domestic / inter-
versatility and flexibility of regional aircraft,” Jean-Daniel Kosowski, national service certificates are in place. The
Sales Director for ATR in Charge of Korea told Asian Airlines & airline has ambitious plans to cover 76 domes-
Aerospace, during an exclusive interaction, prior to the start of tic and international routes by 2023. Flights
Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (Seoul ADEX to Japan and China, will commence in 2020
2019) in November. Kosowski offers that the ATR is the best aircraft and 2021, respectively. Further expansion on
for developing new routes and markets and that the existence of a Chinese routes will take place in 2022. Hi Air
strong customer network in the region is a major factor for potential plans to operate flights to island airports, such
operators. ATR’s turboprops will also help operators in launching as Heuksan Island, Ulleungdo, etc after 2023.
new air services connecting Korean cities to points in southern South Korea has plans to construct new island
Japan and to cities in northeast China. airports such as that on the island of Illeungdo
and another on the island of Baekryeongdo.
Hi Air has chosen Ulsan as its base and plans to launch domestic The runways on these island airports will be
services first and later look to expand internationally. The Hi Air only be 1200m in length and hence be acces-
aircraft sale was performed by Skyworld Aviation and Papa Golf sible only to turboprop aircraft.
Aviation, which saw the sale to the new carrier of two aircraft pre-
viously operated by Air Tahiti. The aircraft with Sl Nos (862 and ATR views South Korea to be well suited for
806) were delivered on 5th April and 8th July 2019 respectively. commercial turboprops, which are ideal for

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