Toulouse, 13 July, 2018 – Drukair and the world’s leading turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR today announced the signing of an order for an ATR 42-600 equipped with the new ClearVision™ system. The airline will be the first operator to benefit from the advantages of ClearVision’s™ Combined Vision System (CVS), incorporating the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) which improves visibility and the Synthetic Vision System (SVS) which generates images of terrain and obstacles using an extensive database. The combination of these solutions provides pilots with outstanding vision and consequently improves their situational awareness. This new ATR 42-600 is expected to be delivered to Drukair in July 2019.

Drukair has been operating ATR 42s since 2011 and operates in challenging environments, serving small airports in the Himalayan Mountains. Certified last year, the ATR -600’s latest Standard 3 avionics includes RNP AR 0.3/0.3, which further enhances airfield accessibility and operational performance.

ATR predicts that regional aviation will require more than 600 40-60-seat turboprop aircraft over the next 20 years. The ATR 42-600 is currently the only 50-seater turboprop in production and a proven route opener. In 2017, ATR aircraft opened over 150 routes and 30% of the overall traffic growth over the next 20 years will be represented by routes that do not exist today.

Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair, said: “Purchasing another ATR was a natural decision. The improvements delivered by the -600 series’ new Standard 3 avionics, along with the ClearVision™ CVS system add significant operational and thus economic value. We also look forward to welcoming passengers into the most modern cabin in regional aviation and offering them the most comfortable in-flight experience possible.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, remarked: “Drukair’s decision to purchase the latest version of our product not only validates the versatility and operational efficiency of our -600 series aircraft, but also affirms the value of our policy of continuous development. Offering valuable solutions which have a genuine and immediate impact on our customer’s business will always be a priority for us at ATR. We look forward to contributing to the famous “Gross National Happiness” of the people of Bhutan, long into the future.”