ATR hold leading position in market segment for regional aircraft

During a press conference today at the Farnborough International Airshow, Filippo Bagnato, ATR's chief executive officer, affirmed ATR's leading position in the market segment for regional aircraft with up to 90 seats. 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.   

Bagnato said: “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. 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 added, “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."  

He concluded:“We have just obtained certification for the ATR 42-600. Along with the ATR 72-600, in service since last year, they 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. The ATR -600's have not only proven to be a commercial success, they have also become the new reference in regional aviation.” 

The company is growing rapidly in the Middle East and is already dominant in countries in North Africa, including; Morocco, Libya and Egypt.