Air Astra receives first brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft

Dhaka: Air Astra, Bangladesh’s youngest private airline, has taken delivery of its first brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet and network expansion strategy.

The aircraft arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 6:00 pm local time on May 31. Before landing, it performed a low-pass flyby over the airport and was welcomed with a traditional water-cannon salute upon touchdown, read a press release.

The newly delivered ATR 72-600 is the first of three brand-new aircraft scheduled to join the airline’s fleet. It is powered by the latest Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines, known for their fuel efficiency and reliability. The aircraft is configured with 72 Geven Neo Prestige seats, offering enhanced passenger comfort for domestic operations across Bangladesh.

The arrival ceremony was attended by Frédéric Inza, Chargé d’Affaires of the French Embassy in Dhaka, who praised Air Astra’s expansion efforts through the acquisition of the ATR 72-600, the French-built turboprop aircraft widely used for regional operations around the world.

Speaking at the event, Air Astra Chief Executive Officer Imran Asif thanked the airline’s employees and government regulators for their support in facilitating the carrier’s growth and expansion.

The celebration concluded with a live acoustic performance of the classic Bengali song “Abar Elo Je Shondha” by Shuvo, vocalist of the band D Rockstar, with guests joining in to mark the milestone occasion.

The addition of the new aircraft is expected to strengthen Air Astra’s operational capacity and support its plans to expand services across Bangladesh’s domestic aviation market.

K