TOKI AIR inaugurates commercial flights to the airport with the world's shortest runway, operated by an ATR 42-600.

Photo: TOKI AIR

Japan’s startup airline TOKI AIR completed its first commercial flight to Sado Airport with an ATR 42-600, operating into the shortest commercial runway in the world served by an ATR 42-600.

Measuring at 890 metres, Sado Airport is not just another destination on the map. It is a highly constrained operating environment on an island off the coast of Niigata Prefecture. One where air connectivity can make a tangible difference for residents, businesses and visitors, yet where operational limitations mean that only a handful of aircraft can safely operate.

hat is what makes this first commercial flight so significant. Serving Sado requires the right combination of airline expertise, careful preparation and aircraft performance. The ATR 42-600 is among the largest commercial aircraft types able to serve the airport, reflecting ATR’s proven ability to connect demanding regional destinations, including those with runways below 1,000 metres. In a region also known for strong winds, its 45kt crosswind capability provides additional operational flexibility, helping make commercial connectivity possible where infrastructure constraints would otherwise limit access.

Sado’s runway environment also highlights the importance of aircraft certification and airport infrastructure working together. The runway’s grooved surface, designed to improve water drainage and runway conditions, supports safe operations in challenging environments. ATR has specifically certified the wet grooved runway performance on the ATR 42-600, helping to unlock this type of operation and enabling regional operators to serve airports with demanding characteristics.

Connecting Sado Island

Taking its inaugural flight at the end of May, this milestone marks a new chapter in the airline’s mission to improve regional connectivity across Niigata and beyond, as from the outset, connecting Sado has been a key priority.

TOKI AIR takes its name from the toki, the Japanese crested ibis, a bird closely associated with Sado Island, where major conservation efforts have helped restore its population. That link gives this first commercial service an added resonance: an airline named after one of the island’s most emblematic symbols now helping reconnect it by air.

For Sado Island, the launch of commercial service means easier access to the mainland, stronger links for local communities, and new opportunities for mobility, tourism and economic activity.

In a protected island environment, the role of regional aviation is not only to connect, but to do so responsibly. With the lowest fuel burn, CO₂ emissions, and noise footprint in its class, the ATR is uniquely well-suited to meet Sado’s essential connectivity needs.

With this first commercial flight to Sado Airport, TOKI AIR and the ATR 42-600 have demonstrated what regional aviation can achieve when the right aircraft meets the right mission.

This is where regional aviation delivers its full value: not only by flying communities efficiently, but by enabling the connections that matter most.

Congratulations to TOKI AIR and all the teams involved in making this milestone possible.
ATR

FLEET - Toki Air takes first ATR42-600

Toki Air (BV, Niigata) has taken delivery of its first ATR42-600 during a handover ceremony at Toulouse Blagnac, although the aircraft has yet to be ferried to Japan.

JA03QQ (msn 1618) was delivered around a year behind the original schedule, which foresaw the delivery in late 2023. 

The aircraft will join Toki Air's existing fleet of two ATR72-600s.

Toki Air had also planned to add a single ATR42-600S but the short-take-off-and-landing variant was recently scrapped by ATR - Avions de Transport Régional and will not be produced. It recently said that the manufacturer's decision would not impact its immediate plans but might force a reevaluation of fleet strategy going forward.
CH Aviation

Photo: 湯小沅

Toki Air Takes Delivery of ATR 72-600

Toki Air (Niigata) has taken delivery of its first ATR72-600 in Toulouse Blagnac ahead of the airline's delayed launch. On October 8, the start-up signed a lease agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital before taking possession of JA01QQ (msn 1565). According to Toki Air, the aircraft will ferry to the airline's Niigata base later in October. Built into the lease package is a ten-year ATR Global Maintenance Agreement.

Toki Air is sticking to a planned late 1Q 2023 launch while it attempts to finalise its air operator's certificate (AOC) and secure its financial position. It reportedly applied to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for its AOC in mid-September while more recently, ch-aviation has revealed Toki Air had obtained a JPY1.16 billion (USD8.1 million) loan from Niigata Prefecture to tide it over until it starts flying and generating revenue.

Toki Air will become the first airline to be based at Niigata, located around 300 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. According to the ch-aviation PRO airports module, five airlines already serve the airport, including ANA - All Nippon Airways, JAL - Japan Airlines, Fuji Dream Airlines, Ibex Airlines and Korean Air which offers Niigata's sole international service to Seoul Incheon. Using two ATR72-600s, Tokiair has previously said it plans to start flights from Niigata to Sapporo Okadama followed up by flights to Sendai later in 2023.


F-WWEW / ATR 72-212A(600)

Photo:Fabrizio Spicuglia

Toki Air to open ATR 72 services from coastal airport

 

Main hub: Niigata Airport
Country/Territory: Japan

Toki Air is a proposed LCC jointly established by Niigata Chamber of Commerce and Niigata Association of Corporate Executives. The companies established a preparatory company in Tokyo in Dec-2019 and the company was formally established in Jul-2020. Toki Air operated a test flight from Tokyo Narita Airport to Sado Airport on 24-May-2021.

Toki Air plans to commence operations in summer 2022 with four services initially connecting Niigata with Sapporo Okadama, Sendai, Kansai and Chukyo areas. Toki Air plans to differentiate itself from other domestic LCCs by operating only regional domestic services using propeller aircraft. The start up plans to lease four aircraft from ATR.

NEWS ATR: DUBAI AIR SHOW

 

Afrijet Continues to Evolve its Fleet Towards the ATR 72-600

Gabonese airline continues to enlarge its domestic and regional network with efficient and versatile regional turboprops

• Afrijet will eventually operate fleet of four ATR 72-600 aircraft for its regular service

• CEMAC region airline intends to grow network and increase frequency

Dubai Airshow, November 16, 2021 – ATR finalises the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet. From the second aircraft onwards, these ATR 72-600 will be equipped with the latest generation P&WC engine, the PW127XT-M, which delivers increased efficiency and burns less fuel. The deal is further proof of the ATR’s effectiveness at growing regional routes and networks, thanks to its cost-effective operations. Afrijet initially started with pre-owned ATR aircraft and then moved to a leased ATR 72-600 in 2020. This direct acquisition of brand new aircraft will increase the -600 fleet size to four ATR 72-600, allowing the opening of new routes and increasing frequency.

Regional connectivity has been shown to have a significant impact on local economies, with an increase of 10% in regional flights potentially leading to a 6% growth in regional GDP. The ATR is a proven route opener thanks to its operational efficiency and versatility, burning over 40% less fuel and therefore emitting 40% less CO2 than a regional jet.

Afrijet CEO, Mark Gaffajoli, remarked: “To be effective in Africa an aircraft has to be cost-efficient, reliable and operationally versatile. We need these new ATR aircraft, as creating connectivity in the Gulf of Guinea is vital for the boom in trade and community intergration in the CEMAC zone. As an operator in Equatorial Africa, home of the second largest forest in the world, we are proud to be preparing to invest in a device with a low carbon footprint and a controlled and predictable ecological impact.”

Stefano Bortoli, CEO of ATR, said: “Afrijet continues to trust ATR with its business and we are always proud to see an airline move from a legacy ATR fleet, to introducing the latest generation aircraft and then ultimately purchasing a new fleet. Being in the position to do this during such challenging times really shows that Afrijet has an excellent strategy and business model that they are delivering very well. It also shows that the ATR is the perfect aircraft with which to deliver regional connectivity in Africa.”

Toki Air signs Letter of Intent with ATR to improve regional connectivity in Japan

Toki Air set to become first Japanese airline to introduce ATR 42-600S in Japan

Dubai Airshow, November 16, 2021 – ATR, the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Toki Air, a new regional commercial airline in Japan that will operate out of Niigata airport. The cooperation with ATR will help Toki Air to achieve its higher purpose of revitalising the city of Niigata, by increasing mobility within and between surrounding regions.

Through this LoI, ATR and Toki Air are engaging in consultations to add ATR 42 aircraft to the airline’s fleet and introduce the ATR 42-600S variant – for STOL, Short Take-Off and Landing. This new version of the ATR 42-600, currently under development, will offer take-off and landing capabilities on runways as short as 800 meters with 40 passengers on board in standard flight conditions. First deliveries are expected for the beginning of 2025.

Toki Air has already signed a lease agreement for two ATR 72-600 that will start operating in 2022. Toki Air and ATR have been working closely together on identifying the best routes for the aircraft, developing an airline business model that maximises the various advantages that ATR aircraft have to offer. The airline has chosen ATR turboprops for their compatibility with regional connectivity in a country like Japan, as well as their operational efficiency that allows for reduced CO2 emissions and cost-effective air travel. Toki Air will also be the first Japanese operator to introduce ATR’s Cargo Flex solution into their fleet, and this will help them to adjust to any fluctuations in passenger/cargo demand.

Stefano Bortoli, ATR Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The ATR 42-600S version is a vital tool to expand the horizons of many remote communities around the world, and it is particularly true in Japan. Air routes constitute an essential part of the archipelago’s domestic travel and transportation and we know how difficult it is to ensure these links in a sustainable way. With the ATR 42-600S, we strongly believe we can offer the right solution to Japan’s requirements, now and in the future.”

In addition to Niigata airport, Toki Air will also operate to and from Sado Airport, located on Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata. The main challenge is to take off and land on its short runway, which measures only 890 meters – for which the ATR 42-600S would be a perfect fit. The purchase of ATR 42-600S would make Toki Air the first Japanese airline to operate this type of aircraft, positioning them as pioneers in the regional aviation network in Japan.