UNI Air orders 19 new ATR 72-600 aircraft to strengthen Taiwan’s domestic network

UNI Air, a regional subsidiary of EVA Air, has signed a major deal with ATR, the world’s leading regional turboprop manufacturer, for the purchase of 19 new ATR 72-600 aircraft, with an option for three additional units. The agreement, officially sealed today in Taipei, marks ATR’s largest airline order since 2017 and highlights a shared commitment to improving domestic air connectivity and tourism across Taiwan.

The signing ceremony brought together top executives including Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, CEO of ATR, and Lin Chi-Chung, Chairman of UNI Air, along with representatives from Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA), and EVA Air.

This next-generation fleet will support UNI Air’s extensive domestic network of 16 routes and over 900 weekly flights, particularly enhancing services to Taiwan’s outlying islands such as Kinmen, Penghu, and Matsu. Deliveries are set to begin in 2027 and will be completed by 2032, bringing the airline’s ATR fleet from 14 to 19 aircraft.

Chairman Lin noted that UNI Air currently holds nearly 60% of the domestic market, playing a vital role not only in business and leisure travel but also as a lifeline for island residents seeking medical care and visiting family. “These new aircraft will allow us to maintain a young, efficient fleet and respond flexibly to demand fluctuations, including during adverse weather or major events,” he said.