ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of turboprop aircraft, and Shaanxi Tianju Investment Group (Tianju Group) have agreed to work together to develop shorthaul air transport in northwest China by using ATR 42-600.

China has been a strategic partner and supplier of ATR for nearly 20 years. ATR’s major fuselage sections and part of the wing components are supplied by Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. (XAC), subsidiary of AVIC. In 2015 ATR established the ATR Beijing Representative Office and earlier this year a MOU was signed between ATR and China Aviation Supplies Holding Company’s (CAS) subsidiaries Hua-Ou Aviation Training Co.,Ltd and Hua-Ou Aviation Support Co.,Ltd (Joint Ventures of CAS and Airbus) for establishing new ATR -600s training and logistics services. This cooperation with Tianju Group marks a new milestone for the development of ATR in China.

Mr. Yang Qiang, Chairman of Tianju Group said, “On May 17, 2016, the General Office of the State Council issued 2016 No.38” Guiding Opinions on Promoting the General Aviation Industry", CAAC is also placing their focus on the development and application of general aviation (GA). While, China’s short-haul GA market is still underdeveloped and there is no GA operator dedicated to this sector. We are pleased to partner with the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer to develop short-haul transportation under general aviation operation in the Northwest China and contribute to the “Silk Road Economic Belt. ATR 42-600 can be specifically adapted and will provide the best answer for this market.”

“ATR aircraft are widely recognized as the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the regional market, especially for the short-haul sectors. Thanks to its low fuel consumption and low trip cost, ATR aircraft have allowed airlines to develop new markets and created over 100 new routes around the world each year” said John Moore, ATR Head of Global Sales.

He added, “ATR is willing to support China’s important effort to develop the rapidly growing general aviation market, especially in the areas of commercial & tourism charters, regional city commuting, and cross strait flights. The tailored ATR 42-600 offers the spacious seat layout, modern pressurized cabin comfort, and cutting edge technology, and uniquely fills the GA market requirement for 30 seat cabin class aircraft.”

“We are proud to have Tianju Group as strategic partner to develop this market sector. It’s our strong belief that the cooperation will be a big success.”