TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Mandarin Airlines took delivery of its 12th ATR aircraft Saturday after a flight from France via Africa to Asia in order to avoid the war in the Middle East.
On its voyage, the ATR 72-600 left the manufacturing plant in Toulouse to fly across Egypt, East Africa, the Maldives, India, and Thailand, per CNA. The aircraft landed at Taipei Songshan Airport at 3:30 p.m. Saturday after a trip taking eight days instead of the originally planned five days.
Mandarin Airlines used the ATR planes to ply domestic routes, mostly linking the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu to Taiwan’s main island. They fly 11 routes between eight airports. A 13th ATR was expected to join the fleet in April.
The latest delivery also marked a milestone because the plane used a 30% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend, Mandarin Airlines executives said. The engine was also upgraded to use less energy and cut carbon emissions, while a new type of air conditioning system was fitted to provide passengers with a cleaner and healthier environment.
