Japanese Toki Air starts the Journey ! Took the Delivery of its First Aircraft - an ATR 72- 600 !

Toki Air — Japan's Newest Airline has Just started the Journey , as it started building up its fleet by taking the delivery of the First  Aircraft from ATR , France through Leasing Company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC).

Toki Air was jointly established by Niigata Chamber of Commerce and Niigata Association of Corporate Executives in Tokyo in Dec-2019 and the company was formally established in Jul 2020.

After Operating a test flight from Tokyo Narita Airport to Sado Airport on 24-May-2021, the proposed carrier planned to start its operations in Quarter 4 of 2022 but later postponed it to 2023.

Apparently, it's going to announce the routes and flight plans soon , to become the Fourth airline operating an ATR Turboprop aircraft in Japan.The new ATR 72-600 also sports a livery representing the spread wings of Toki.

Toki Air has chosen the name of an ancestral bird also called ‘Japanese crested ibis’, mainly living in Sado island. This is a symbol of the preservation of nature in Japan.

Masaki Hasegawa, Representative Director of Toki Air, commented:

“We are pleased to start operating our ATR 72-600 aircraft soon. Thanks to their unrivalled versatility and responsible and affordable performance, ATR aircraft are the ideal choice for us as an airline and for our country. This first aircraft will allow us to serve our higher purpose by providing a responsible and reliable air connection to the communities of the Niigata Prefecture and surrounding regions. We look forward to seeing Toki flying in the skies of Japan.”

Last month , Toki Air and ATR had signed a global maintenance agreement contract for the operation of its two leased ATR 72-600 scheduled to commence in 2023.

Back in November 2021 , Toki Air had signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with ATR to add ATR 42 aircraft to the airline’s fleet and introduce the ATR 42-600S variant – for STOL, Short Take-Off and Landing.

This new version of the ATR 42-600, currently under development, will offer take-off and landing capabilities on runways as short as 800 meters with 40 passengers on board in standard flight conditions.First deliveries are expected for the beginning of 2025.

On the current Development , ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, added:

“Our long-term relationship with NAC and the confidence of the lessors’ community in our aircraft allow new airlines such as Toki Air to offer their passengers the most modern and sustainable aircraft on the regional market. The support we will be able to provide through the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement will also ensure the most reliable and efficient services.”

Norman C.T. Liu, President & CEO of NAC, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Toki Air as our newest customer. We wish all the team at Toki Air every success and look forward to a long-term, successful partnership.”

Toki Air has plans to commence operations from Niigata to Sapporo Okadama, Sendai, Kansai and Chukyo. In addition to Niigata airport, Toki Air also aims operate to and from Sado Airport, located on Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata , that will face challenge of take off and landing on its short runway, which measures only 890 meters.

Courtesy : ATR .