ATR reaffirms commitment to provide sustainable and affordable regional mobility

Asia Pacific is ATR’s largest market accounting for more than 40% of aircraft deliveries. After the recent announcement regarding Maldivian’s order for two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600, the manufacturer has signed a new deal with Alliance Air via lessor TrueNoord for two ATR 42-600 aircraft, which will support the airline’s mission of serving challenging airfields in the Himalayas. The ATR family’s unique capabilities to serve short runways, at high altitudes and high temperatures, its cabin comfort, and unbeatable economics, make it the perfect tool to reinforce connectivity, especially in areas where infrastructure is limited.

Fabrice Vautier, SVP Commercial of ATR, said: “Over the years, ATR aircraft have proven very popular with operators in Asia Pacific thanks to the combination of comfort, reliability, unparalleled cost per trip and per seat, and sustainability. The combination of these parameters is unique to ATR in our market segment, which means airlines can serve thin routes more profitably and more responsibly. Through our recent announcements and the exchanges we have had during the show, we have witnessed concrete signs of recovery from the market and are confident that Asia Pacific will remain a strategic region for us long into the future.”

Continuous incremental developments are the cornerstone of ATR’s strategy now and in the future. In the coming months, all new ATR 42 and 72 aircraft will be equipped with the new PW127XT engine, which will reduce fuel burn and engine maintenance costs even further – respectively by 3% and 20%. The manufacturer is also working towards the certification of its aircraft to operate on 100% SAF by 2025. All these initiatives will reinforce ATR’s position as the most economical and sustainable regional aircraft on the market, and will make it even more attractive for environmentally-conscious markets looking at reducing their carbon emissions.

ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli added: “Driving costs down for airlines – whether through fuel savings or maintenance costs reduction initiatives – contributes to making air transport more inclusive and more sustainable. It gives our operators the opportunity either to make tickets more affordable for their passengers, or to reinvest the associated savings to capture new markets. In both cases, it means more connectivity for their communities and tomorrow we will be able to connect even smaller markets thanks to this. 40% of ATR operators are already serving mainly essential services, and 60% of them are serving point-to-point, and we expect these percentages to grow in 2022.”

Fabrice Vautier observed: “We also see a great potential for the ATR 42-600S – short take-off and landing version – in Asia Pacific. This is due to the need for replacement of the region’s aging fleet of 30-seat turboprops and to the ATR 42-600S’ ability to operate from the region’s many airports with runways comprised between 800m and 1,000m. Regional operators need the ATR 42-600S because they need an aircraft that has lower fuel burn and maintenance costs, a more comfortable and modern
cabin, an all-digital glass cockpit, an unrivalled airport accessibility, a strong aftermarket and residual value.” ATR aims to certify the ATR 42-600S in time for first delivery by the end of 2024.

ATR is an agile and versatile aircraft, which also make it the perfect platform for cargo operations, and the manufacturer has a range of cargo solutions which are sure to meet the needs of operators, whatever their requirements.