Highlights for last year included delivery of the first ATR 72-600 to China Airlines subsidiary Mandarin Airlines, one of several “quality”
customers added to ATR's portfolio.M A IN • ATR has committed to developing a
dedicated freighter variant of the ATR 72-600
after securing an order for 30 examples from
global logistics firm FedEx.TOP • ATRs were directly responsible for the
creation of 155 new routes last year, many of
which were in India where the type has been
introduced into service by low-cost carrier
IndiGo. KEY-CRAIG WEST
ATR Firm Orders 2017
Airline Country Aircraft
IndiGo India 50 ATR 72-600
FedEx USA 30 ATR 72-600F
Iran Air Iran 20 ATR 72-600
Mandarin
Airlines Taiwan 6 ATR 72-600
Air Sénégal Senegal 2 ATR 72-600
A ir Tahi ti Tahi ti 1 ATR 72-600
Bahamasair Bahamas 1 ATR 72-600
BRA Sweden 1 ATR 72-600
Japan Air
Commuter Japan 1 ATR 42-600
Undisclosed Undisclosed 1 ATR 72-600routes last year, many of which were in
India where the type has been introduced
into service by low-cost carrier IndiGo.
Longer term, the manufacturer is aim-
ing to address other gaps in its global
network. In China, ATR is anticipating
certification of its -600 series this year,
paving the way for its first deliveries to
the country.
Scherer also identified Africa as a key
market and hopes to build on the recent
handover of the first of two aircraft to Air
Sénégal through either direct sales or via
lessor placements.
Elsewhere, deliveries to Iran Air are
continuing, with eight ATRs in service
so far and a further 12 due to follow this
year, while the first of 20 aircraft for Silver
Airways is expected to arrive in March.
What Next?
With a sizeable order book and continu-
ing interest in its current portfolio, ATR
is in no hurry to make its next move and
the CEO played down speculation of a
90-seat variant.
“Both shareholders [Airbus and
Leonardo] consider ATR to be a valuable
franchise and brand, under which the
intention is to continue developing
the regional aircraft market,” Scherer
remarked. “What is not clear is what
form this will take.”
The firm is, however, committed to its
continuous development programme.
Work is ongoing to certify the
ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision
System, produced in partnership with
Elbit Systems and offering improvedperformance in reduced visibility and
poor weather conditions.
ATR has also signed a deal with
Amphenol Phitek to provide operators
with the option of a standalone wireless
in-flight entertainment system, and is
liaising with Pratt & Whitney on further
engine upgrades.
Meanwhile, Scherer said the short
take-off and landing (STOL) ATR
42-600S remains under consideration.
Specifications for such a variant are still
to be finalised, but may include a “super
STOL” version capable of operating from
unprepared 2,625ft-long (800m) runways.
Discussions with several potential cus-
tomers are ongoing with a decision
on whether to launch the programme
expected later this year.http://www.airlinerworld.com 21News Review • International