The French manufacturer ATR continues to evolve its unique product in the market. The regional turboprop has a scheduled agenda of updates aiming for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
The first aircraft of the family, the ATR 42, had its inaugural flight on August 16, 1984. It was introduced to the market in 1985, marking the beginning of ATR’s presence in the regional aviation industry.
The larger ATR 72 made its first flight on October 27, 1988, and entered into service in 1989. Since then, these aircraft have been used by regional airlines worldwide to serve short routes and connections in less-traveled areas.
Series 600
Throughout ATR’s history, the aircraft has adapted to customer requirements, striving for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The Series 600 of ATR was announced in October 2007, marking a significant evolution compared to previous series, particularly in terms of efficiency and technological advancements. The ATR 72-600 model was the first in the series to enter commercial service in August 2011 with the Finnish airline Finnair, followed shortly by the smaller ATR 42-600.
Thanks to the PW127XT engines introduced in the Series 600, the aircraft exhibits a 45% reduction in CO₂ emissions per trip compared to similar-sized regional jets, translating to 69 g of CO₂ emitted per seat-kilometer.
ATR 72 STOL
The French manufacturer is actively studying further improvements to our accessibility to shorter runways, aiming to reduce the current 1,050 m to 800 m with the ATR 42-600S – Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL), scheduled to enter service in 2025.
Additionally, concerning passenger comfort, the ATR Highline collection has been specifically designed for airlines wishing to offer a VIP experience to their passengers.
Utilization of SAF
To further reduce emissions, ATR is committed to achieving 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2025. Successful tests have already been conducted, making ATR the first manufacturer to fly a commercial aircraft with 100% SAF in both engines in June 2022.
ATR EVO
In 2022, ATR announced plans for the next generation of its regional aircraft family by introducing the ATR “EVO” capable of operating with the most advanced sustainability innovations today: SAF and electric motors.
The plan includes advanced design features and a new hybrid-capable engine for the next generation of ATR aircraft, maintaining the dimensions of the ATR 72-600.
Highlighted improvements by the manufacturer include a new 8-blade propeller design (replacing the current six-blade model from Collins Aerospace), enhanced cabin and systems, and a new propulsion system capable of running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or battery-based electric power. They will also replace the pneumatic de-icing boots with a thermal system.
Giovanna Ferraro, Director of Future Projects and Research and Technology at ATR, stated: “Looking ahead to the mid-term strategy in 2030, ATR envisions the introduction of the ATR EVO, and the technology we are researching is based on soft hybridization. The plan involves combining a new efficient thermal engine with an electric motor and batteries. This will allow us to optimize the size of the engine core, while the use of electric power will maximize the overall efficiency of the propulsion system.”
“Continuing with our future vision, beyond 2035, ATR plans new developments by leveraging the readiness of the ATR EVO to incorporate disruptive technologies when available. We will continue to forge strong collaborations to accelerate the progress of low-emission technologies and focus on key Research and Technology activities. This proactive approach aims to ensure that ATR remains at the forefront of low-emission aviation”, she added.
