UNI Air to purchase 19 new ATR aircraft at cost of US$437 million

Taipei, June 10 (CNA) UNI Air announced Tuesday that it will purchase 19 new ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft from French-based Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR, with the total transaction value amounting to approximately US$437 million.

In a statement, the airline said its board of directors on Tuesday approved the new aircraft procurement plan, adding that the company has also secured purchase options for three additional aircraft.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027 and will be completed by 2032, UNI Air said, adding that it hopes the new aircraft will help meet growing demand in the domestic market and further enhance its overall operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

UNI Air noted that the newly purchased ATR 72-600 aircraft will be equipped with PW127 XT-M engines, which offer high efficiency, fuel savings, and reduced carbon emissions. Compared to the previous generation, the new engines improve fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent and reduce maintenance costs by as much as 20 percent.

The airline added that it currently operates 14 ATR 72-600 aircraft which will be gradually phased out after the new aircraft are delivered in order to maintain a younger fleet age.