Mandarin Airlines, the regional subsidiary of Taiwan's flag carrier China Airlines, and regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, today announced the signing of a firm order for one ATR-72/600 for domestic flights on the island. This strategic agreement, a note explains, comes after the order for six airplanes of the same model placed at last year's "Paris Air Show". The delivery of this additional unit is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, to meet the airline's peak season demand. Three of the six planes from the previous order have already been delivered, while the next three ones will be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

The 72-passenger aircraft, featuring a stretched fuselage and powered by more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M turboprop engines, will complement the carrier's existing fleet of 12 ATR-72/600s. Operating primarily from its main hub at Taipei-Songshan Airport, Mandarin Airlines plays a vital role in Taiwan's domestic network, offering essential connections to eight key destinations including the islands of Kinmen, Penghu and Matsu.