France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market by offering comfortable, reliable, easy-to-maintain, and environment-friendly aircraft. The ATR 42 and ATR 72 family of aircraft are the optimal solution for short-haul routes around the world and. The ATR aircraft feature the lowest fuel consumption per passenger and CO2 emissions of the regional aviation and are certified to operate in severe and restricted environments.
ATR announced in 2007 the launch of the “-600 series”, its newest version of aircraft, which will be introduced in 2010 and will feature the latest technological enhancements, including a new avionics suite and new PW 127M engines, while building upon the well-known advantages of the current “-500 series” aircraft. .
ATR has sold 950 aircraft and counts more than 130 operators in 80 countries.
ATR was formed in 1981 and is an equal partnership between EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company) and Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group).
In June 2001, the two shareholders decided a restructuring of the former joint venture. Today, ATR comprises besides development procurement as well as sales, a former tasks of the ATR consortium, also the industrial capabilities, which were attributed to the two partners EADS as well Alenia Aeronautica until then.
ATR's manufacturing facilities near Naples, Italy, produce the aircraft fuselage and tail sections. Aircraft wings are assembled at EADS Sogerma for Airbus France, and nacelles (engine housings) are assembled at Saint-Eloi site near the airport of Toulouse. ATR carries out final assembly, flight-testing, certification and deliveries at the Toulouse site. ATR outsources certain areas of responsibility to the Airbus Division, including wing design and manufacture.
ATR's production system, which uses a two-stage final assembly line, is designed to maximize the company's ability to react swiftly and effectively to market changes.
ATR is a world leader in the market for regional turboprop aircraft of 40 to 70 seats. The latest "- 500" generation aircraft, ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, benefit from major improvements in the fields of performance and passenger comfort and maintain its competitive hedge in terms of operating costs.
Commencing with the ATR 42, which entered service in 1985, ATR has developed a family of high-wing, twin turboprop aircraft in the 40-70 passenger market that are designed for optimal efficiency, operational flexibility and comfort. In 1996, in order to respond to operators' increasing demands for comfort and performance, ATR launched a new generation of aircraft designated the ATR 72-500 and ATR 42-500. Like Airbus, GIE ATR's family concept provides for savings in training, maintenance operations, spare parts supply and cross crew qualification.
The ATR 42 forms the cornerstone of ATR's family of aircraft. With the widest cabin in its class, the ATR 42-500 provides increased passenger space, improved comfort and enhanced noise control for up to 50 passengers.
The ATR 72-500 was developed by extending the ATR 42 fuselage to respond to operators' growing need for a larger capacity regional aircraft. The ATR 72-500 has a passenger capacity of up to 74 seats, with the same fuselage cross-section, cockpit and basic aircraft systems as the ATR 42 series.
ATR's family of aircraft includes a number of specialized cargo versions. A convertible passenger/freighter version exists in both the ATR 42 and ATR 72 sizes, with a standard cargo door at the front of the aircraft. ATR has also launched a Large Cargo Door conversion programme in order to accommodate ULDs.
