Japan’s Oriental Air Bridge (ORC) has signed an order for an ATR 42-600 for the airline’s domestic operations in southern Japan. ORC has also chosen ATR’s global maintenance agreement (GMA) which the OEM said would reduce MRO costs.

“We will start renewing our fleet with the most efficient, affordable, and responsible aircraft in the market,” said Kazuhito Tanaka, ORC senior managing director and representative director. “With our ATR 42-600, we are investing in a responsible future in line with our strong commitment to operate in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.

“Our ATR aircraft will allow us to revitalize remote islands around Nagasaki Prefecture by providing lifeline connections with high efficiency and reliable services thanks to our ATR [GMA]. Overseas travel restrictions will be gradually relaxed. We hope many people visit Japan and enjoy the trip by ORC to the remote island of Nagasaki where some beautiful world heritages are located.”

Today, 15 ATR aircraft operate in Japan. The OEM said it hopes 100 of its aircraft could operate there in the “medium term.”