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ATR : How is the leader of the turboprop market envisioning the future?

M.Durgut 237 Views ,  , 

Article by – Dimitri Ursulin Guest Writer of aviationfile

For more than 40 years now, ATR, a Franco-Italian manufacturer, has developed a strong capability in the regional market. With more than 1700 aircraft delivered to 200 clients in 100 countries, the leader of the turboprop market is now facing the new challenges of its success. In fact, following the Covid-19 crisis, the regional market demand for turboprops has fully recovered, now expecting a growth of about 2500 new aircraft in the next 20 years. Being the leader and only currently active manufacturer of turboprops, how is ATR envisioning its future growth and challenges?

A dual-segment market that keeps expanding.

As stated by a study conducted in 2022 by ATR, the regional market has now fully recovered from the pandemic. Being the backbone of the aviation transportation industry, it will now continue further towards growth and expansion. As stated by ATR, we can expect an increase of 4.9% of the regional traffic accompanied by an average of 180 routes opened yearly. Additionally, the regional market is also home to regional jets which are, below 300NM, less profitable than turboprops on routes with fewer than 130 passengers per day. According to the same study, this represents 36% of the market share being more profitable for turboprop while operated by jets.
While being very popular in passenger operations, the regional market also depends on cargo operations. These being conducted by turboprop constituting 94% of the regional cargo fleet as per ATR’s calculations. However, with 76% of the fleet already positioned in mature markets and only 170 new aircraft expected by ATR in 2041 in their study, the freighter turboprop market does not represent a major area of growth.

Who is ATR?

Avion de Transport Régional (or Aerei di Trasporto Regionale in italian) is a Franco-Italian manufacturer, born in 1982 from a common agreement between Aérospatiale (now Airbus) and Aeritalia (now Leonardo). Their first aircraft, the ATR 42-300 was a success, quickly followed by the ATR 72, the -500 and the latest -600 series. In 2024, ATR delivers its 1700th aircraft, signing in the meantime 1.2 billion dollars in revenue. As of today, it is the leader of the turboprop market for airplanes between 50 and 90 seats with 80% of the total market.

ATR 72-600 / 42-600 Specifications
ATR 72-600 , 42-600 Specifications

Small Yet Ambitious

Throughout the years, ATR has managed to build and consolidate a firm and solid base. Being the leader of the market, the necessity to develop new technologies and open new ways of research is now the main drive for them. This is evidenced by the CLEARVISION™ system, an innovative addition to the aircraft instruments that permits lower approach minima.
CLEARVISION™ is composed of two subsystems; SKYLENS™ and Advanced Vision options. The SKYLENS™ is a Head-Mounted Display device, on which is projected the information gathered by the Advanced Vision options. The display itself functions as a Head Up Display (HUD) and is worn like a helmet. As a standalone, it already provides a new layer of safety regarding operations in tense situations by having all necessary information right in front of the pilot. However, the SKYLENS™ can also be integrated with either the Synthetic Vision System (SVS), the Enhanced Vision System (EVS), or the Combined Vision System (CVS, a combination of both).
The SVS or Synthetic Vision System provides the SKYLENS™ with information about terrain, runways and obstacles via a database. This adds another layer of awareness to the system by showing, even in low visibility conditions, the terrain and obstacles around the path of the aircraft. The EVS or Enhanced Vision System uses a set of cameras to project a real-time, enhanced image of the terrain ahead onto the SKYLENS™ display. Contrary to the SVS, the EVS does not compute a database. The image that is projected to the HUD is a combination of what the cameras see, in different wavelengths (thermal, infrared, visible). With this innovation, pilots are now able to see “as clear as day”, even in low and very low visibility conditions.
This innovation, which has already entered service on some routes, is a real game changer for airlines that are used to fly in difficult weather scenarios. With the increased visibility comes reduced minima, allowing safe approaches that were once too risky to attempt.

Greener Everyday, in Every Way.

The Franco-Italian manufacturer also places strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. The turboprop in itself already being more ecological than jets, ATR has also started the development of new ways to reduce toxic emissions.
On the 21st of June 2022, an ATR 72-600 of Braathens Regional flew using 100% of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on both engines. This milestone is considered by ATR as “An historic day for aviation.” Since 2021, ATR is developing, together with Neste, a Finnish refining company, an ambitious project that will guide aviation towards a new, more sustainable era. The SAF, intended to become a full replacement of the existing fuel, is now a very credible project, partly thanks to ATR. After the successful flight, the manufacturer has now certified its aircraft to fly using 50% SAF, aiming to transition to 100% later in 2025.

The Next Generation.

Encouraged by the success of the ATR -600 series, the manufacturer now has a new plan for the future, the ATR EVO. Behind this name, we find a new aircraft, designed with the sole intent to reduce its impact on the environment. ATR plans an entry in service towards the mid 2030s. The aircraft is planned to use 100% SAF in conjunction with a totally new hybrid engine as stated in the ATR’s catalogue. However, these new technologies and additions will not guarantee a high price. In fact, ATR estimates in it’s own article about the EVO series, that it will reduce maintenance costs by 20% when compared to the current -600 series powerplant, while also remaining “affordable and versatile”. Lastly, the entire EVO program is designed to be as economical and sustainable as possible, ensuring reusable and recycled materials, reducing the waste through the entire life cycle of the next generation aircraft.

Writing the future with “A.T.R”

In general, we can observe that ATR is greatly motivated to address the problems of today, as well as those of tomorrow. While being a comparatively small manufacturer, they keep on pushing new horizons to deliver the products that will succeed in the diverse challenges of the future.
Thanks to ATR, new technologies are born every day, some already entering active service. In a constantly evolving sector, ATR’s focus on innovation and sustainability positions it as a key player,
not only in today’s regional aviation landscape, but in tomorrow’s as well.

Recommended article: What Is Minimum Diversion Fuel in Aviation?

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