Mandarin Airlines Welcomes First Pratt & Whitney-Powered ATR72-600

Mandarin Airlines (AE) has ushered in a new era with the arrival of its first Pratt & Whitney PW127XT-powered ATR72-600. The delivery, part of an order for six aircraft placed at the Paris Air Show in mid-2023, signifies a milestone for the Taiwanese regional carrier, known for its commitment to environmentally friendly and economically efficient aviation.

The newly delivered ATR72-600, registered as B-16961 (msn 1682), is the first of its type in Mandarin Airlines’ fleet, boasting Pratt & Whitney engines that ATR asserts will establish new benchmarks for fuel consumption, carbon and NOx emissions, and overall operating economics in regional aviation.

Currently en route to Taiwan, the aircraft is making stops at Cairo International, Abu Dhabi International, and Hyderabad International. The delivery is part of Mandarin Airlines’ strategy to expand its fleet, add capacity to existing routes, and introduce new services to stimulate the local economy and tourism in Taiwan, all while minimizing environmental impact.

Upon completion of the delivery of the remaining five ATR72-600s by the end of 2025, Mandarin Airlines will operate a total of fifteen ATR72-600s. The first nine in its ATR fleet are equipped with PW117M engines. In addition to the ATRs, Mandarin Airlines has four Boeing 737-800s in service, all wet-leased from its parent company, China Airlines (CI).

Kao Shing-Hwang, Chairman of Mandarin Airlines, emphasized the environmental advantages of the new Pratt & Whitney-powered ATR72-600s, stating, “Expanding our ATR fleet will enable us to add capacity on existing routes and create new services to continue stimulating the local economy and tourism across Taiwan with the lowest emission regional aircraft.”

Mandarin Airlines’ ATR fleet currently connects seven Taiwanese towns and cities, including its hub at Taichung Ching Chuan Kang, as well as Hualien, Kaohsiung, Penghu, Kinmen, and Taitung. The Boeing 737-800s also serve international routes, linking Taiwan with destinations such as Fuzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Xiamen, and Wuhan. Stay tuned for further updates on Mandarin Airlines’ fleet expansion and its efforts to promote sustainable regional aviation.