ATR sees strong market potential for ATR 42-600 with enhanced STOL capabilities

Toulouse, June 21, 2017 – ATR is finalising the evaluation for the launch of a version of the ATR 42-600 with enhanced Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities. The regional turboprop aircraft manufacturer is ready to offer this new version, the ATR 42-600S, to its current and potential customers.

The ATR 42-600S will substantially reduce the minimum length of runway required to take-off and land with full passenger capacity, down to only 800 meters. By improving these capabilities of the ATR 42-600s, hundreds of airports with runway lengths between 800 and 900 meters will be able to welcome the aircraft, thus increasing business opportunities for its operators.

As of today, a large and ageing fleet of nearly 2,200 regional aircraft from 30 to 50 seats operate all over the world. Among this fleet, turboprops account for nearly 60% (1,200 aircraft), and provide an essential connectivity to smaller and remote communities. These turboprops serve over 3,100 routes today, with one third of these routes relying exclusively on these aircraft.

The fleet of inefficient previous generation regional aircraft will need to be replaced in the years to come. The ATR 42 perfectly addresses this market with a combination of modernity, reliability and the highest standards of passenger comfort. The ATR 42 matches trip costs of 30-seat aircraft while adding seats and driving down unit costs, thus generating potential to stimulate demand. ATR sees a potential for nearly 600 deliveries of 50-seat turboprops in the 20 years to come.

Commenting on the potential for this new version of the ATR 42-600, Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “Facilitating the emergence of future traffic as well as maintaining the connectivity of communities is at the heart of ATR’s role. This is why we have decided to further address the challenges of airfield accessibility, allowing growth in air services for remote areas as well. We are now proposing the ATR 42-600S to our operators and we look forward to positive feedback from the market”.