Over 200 Airplanes On The Order Books

Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR holds two thirds of the order book for regional aircraft with up to 90 seats - a market dominated by turboprops. That was the message presented Wednesday by Filippo Bagnato, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, at a news conference at the Farnborough International Air Show.

Bagnato said that with over 200 aircraft in its backlog, the turboprop manufacturer is in fact now responsible for two thirds of all regional aircraft to be delivered in the 50- to 90-seater range.

“The aviation market is becoming increasingly segmented. Turboprop aircraft with up to 90 seats are occupying an ever more dominant market position and ATR is well ahead of the pack," Bagnato said. "Propeller-driven aircraft now represent 80% of the order book for planes with up to 90 seats. As far as regional jets are concerned, their operating costs are higher than those of propeller-driven aircraft and their sales are progressively focusing on higher-capacity planes. We are seeing a more and more significant leaning towards turboprop technology for the future of regional aviation in the 90-seater and under category."

He said not only is the number of operators on the rise, but the average size of their ATR fleets is also continually growing, which goes to show how attractive our aircraft have become. "Airlines operating in highly buoyant markets such as Brazil, Indonesia and Russia are currently developing their short-haul routes around the operational benefits that ATR aircraft bring, and ordering them in tens. Today, these aircraft are the ideal complement to a fleet for airlines operating medium-haul routes, flying to hubs and opening up regions which have up to now been little or poorly served."

Bagnato said the recently-certified ATR 42-600. Along with the ATR 72-600, in service since last year, make up the family of regional aircraft with fewer than 90 seats having most recently been granted EASA certification. "These state-of-the-art aircraft are equipped with the very latest technological innovations, both in terms of navigation tools and passenger comfort," he said. "The ATR -600’s have not only proven to be a commercial success, they have also become the new reference in regional aviation.”

Bagnato also announced the sales figures since the beginning of the year. The company has sold 24 aircraft overall, including 23 ATR 72-600s and 1 ATR 42-600.

(Images provided by ATR Top ATR 72-600, Bottom ATR 42-600)

FMI: www.atraircraft.com