ATR : aircraft manufacturer

The aircraft manufacturer ATR Aircraft (Avion de Transport Régional) is an economic interest grouping (EIG) between two legendary aeronautical companies. These two aircraft manufacturers are Airbus (European aircraft manufacturer) and Leonardo (Italian aircraft manufacturer).

These two leaders in aircraft design both own equal shares in the group and are responsible for monitoring it. Nathalie Tarnaud Laude has been at the head of ATR Aircraft since 17 September 2022.

The company ATR is known for manufacturing two main categories of aircraft, the ATR 42 and the ATR 72.

AEROAFFAIRES we take a look back at the history, fleet and activities of this unique air transport company.

ATR Aircraft today:

A few figures:

1,800: The number ofaircraft built and in service since 1981.100: The number of countries in which ATR Aircraft is present.1.6 million: The turnover (in dollars) in 2021.200: The number ofoperators worldwide.2095: The number of routes created.1,300: The number of airports served

An aeronautical group committed to reducing CO² :

For the aeronautical company, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the fight against global warming are real challenges.

On the one hand, it is a real advantage that the company has opted to produce regional turboprop aircraft, which consume less fuel than similar aircraft with turbojet engines – a reduction of around 40% in fuel consumption

In addition, the aircraft manufacturer ATR can fly with 50% biofuels (SAF: Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Their aim is to increase this to 100% within the next few years.

In 2019, ATR became the first company to benefit from green financing (promoting the energy transition).

Similarly,in January 2021, the company introduced a rechargeable power supply from renewable energy sources at some of its plants (as well as at its head office in the Toulouse region).

As well as limiting pollution from aircraft in flight, this also limits pollution during the machining stages.

ATR aims to halve its greenhouse gasemissionsby 2030.

The beginnings of the ATR group

1981: The ATR group is founded in Paris, not far from Le Bourget airport. The company was trying to carve out a place for itself between its many competitors in the aeronautics industry and Paris-based aeronautics manufacturers such as Boeing. It was following its creation that a project for an airliner appeared, theATR 42. The main idea was to combine in-flight efficiency, practicality and manoeuvrability with accessible aeronautical maintenance and good aerodynamics. And it’s done: the aircraft will be machined.

1982: The first orders are signed. Airlines such as Finnair, Air Littoral, Cimber Air and Command Airways wanted ATR 42s in their fleets.

1984:The ATR 42 jet makes its maiden flight. The aircraft was certified the following year by the GIE member countries (France and Italy).

1985: The ATR 42 makes its first commercial flights with the French airline Air Littoral.

1989: TheATR 72 islaunched. It is an evolved version of its predecessor, the ATR 42, but with more space and therefore longer.

1996: The ATR 42-500 replaces all versions of the ATR 42 built up to that point.

ATR’s difficulties and turnaround

The aircraft manufacturer ATR has two main aircraft:

- the ATR 42
- the ATR 72.

However, from the 1990s onwards and for around fifteen years, the company struggled to prosper. The reason for this was that the propeller-driven turboprops built by the aircraft manufacturer ATR were in considerable competition with jet aircraft. This divide is due to the lower cost of the fuels used by the latter.

Nevertheless,the oil crisis is a godsend for the company, which manufactures fuel-efficient aircraft. It is thanks to this opportunity and this competitive advantage that the ATR group is recovering in the aeronautical sector

With an average of 50 deliveries ofATR per year since 2000, the company set a new record in 2011. That year, the aircraft manufacturer sold 157 aircraft and 79 potential new aircraft.

Since then, some 200 airlines have had an ATR aircraft in their fleet.

A new version of theATR 72 was also a great success, helping the company to achieve a turnover of 1.3 billion euros that same year. After teetering on the brink of collapse, ATR was rescued from the crisis.

And this trend would continue in the years that followed. The company regularly receives a large number of orders.

The aircraft manufacturer ATR became a true pioneer in the aeronautics industry for these types of regional aircraft, with 37% of sales in the category of aircraft with fewer than 90 seats.

However, there has been a recent decline in sales for the company. The company has only sold 10 aircraft out of the 72 initially planned

In 2020, aircraft orders fell due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delay in deliveries has had a very negative impact on the regional aircraft manufacturer.

ATR’s fleet of 4 aircraft

ATR 42-600

TheATR 42-600 is an ideal turboprop for regional flights.

With a range of just 1,000 km, this aircraft can make short- and medium-haul flights, and is ideal for group flights, business flights and air freight

This aircraft can carry up to 50 passengers, depending on the cabin layout. The spacious cabin guarantees a comfortable journey.

This aircraft offers excellent value for money. In fact, it costs less to run. And, during a flight, this aircraft consumes around 30% less fuel than other regional aircraft.

ATR 42-600S (STOL)

This version is based on improving the performance of the ATR 42 aircraft, and proposes a renewal of the fleet.

STOL stands for Short Take Off and Landing. This new aircraft features real improvements for successfully landing on a short runway.

Indeed, whereas the classic version of theATR 42 requires a landing distance of 1,000 m, the ATR 42-600S has a landing distance of 773 m. This gives it access to 500 more airports worldwide with a short runway of between 800 and 1,000 m. This gives it access to the most remote areas of the world.

ATR 72-600

It is presented as the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its category.

TheATR 72-600 is the stretched version of theATR 42-600. Depending on its configuration, it can carry up to 78 passengers. This fuel-efficient aircraft isideal for group trips, for example. With the lowest cost per seat in regional aviation, theATR 72-600 has a real competitive edge

This aircraft is the first to be financed with green funds.

Finally, the adaptability of this regional aircraft is such that it is becoming the first choice of operators in this category.

ATR 72-600F

Scheduled for delivery in 2020, the ATR 72-600F is one of the latest cargo (wide-body)aircraft to be added to the aircraft manufacturer’s fleet.

Generally speaking, these aircraft models are designed for air freight and cargo flights only. They do not contain any windows

If they are partly manufactured for FedEx, these cargo planes can carry up to 75 m³ of goods.

They can also be requisitioned for public goods missions and to support regional economies. For example, during the coronavirus pandemic, these aircraft transported medical equipment and other essential products, especially to remote and inaccessible regions of the world.

With this model of aircraft, ATR is emphasising the importance of its freight transport mission. ATR wants to do its utmost to help all communities around the world.

Assembly of ATR aircraft

The company ATR, as a grouping of the two entities Leonardo and Airbus, implies that the assembly of the aircraft takes place in different places depending on the parts. For example, the fuselages, like the various parts of the empennages, are produced by Leonardo in Italy.

The wings are machined by an Airbus subsidiary near Bordeaux in France.

Finally, ATR carries out all the final tasks for these aircraft (assembly, tests, deliveries, etc.) in Toulouse, on one of theAirbus sites

A worldwide presence

This is one of the functions that ATR wishes to ensure: creating and machining aircraft as for civil aviation with the aim of offering worldwide coverage to its users and different needs.

Another of its main functions is to manufacture regional turboprop aircraft that are as versatile as possible.

ATR tries to adapt to its customers’ needs as much as possible, offering to modernise its fleet. It is comfortable and at the cutting edge of technology.

The idea is to be able to operate in as many parts of the world as possible. By ensuring a global presence, the aircraft manufacturer is able to respond to ever more specific needs

In addition to producing high-performance aircraft that meet the needs of its operators, ATR makes it a point of honour to have an increasingly positive ecological impact.

Further information on Airbus and Leonardo

As mentioned above, ATR is the result of a joint venture between Leonardo and Airbus. Here is some more information about these 2 companies, which together create new aircraft.

AIRBUS :

Airbusairbus is one of the world’s leading aerospace companies.

In 2019, it generated sales of nearly €70 billion.

Airbus it employs almost 135,000 people in its various divisions.

The company is recognised for the wide range of its missions and achievements.

It manufactures commercial airliners, private jets for business aviation and helicopters.

It also works on aircraft and various parts for space, air freight and military missions

Leonardo :

Leonardo is a diversified Italian aircraft manufacturer.

This major company employs some 46,000 people and operates in nearly 120 locations around the world.

The company has a strong presence in the aerospace industry.

It manufactures many different types of aircraft. It also carries out missions in cyber protection, electronics and security.

Buy an ATR regional jet with AEROAFFAIRES :

For all your air freight and cargo requirements, as well as group flights for example, at AEROAFFAIRES we can select the aircraft you need to suit your requirements. Fill in the online quote form or call us on +33 (0) 1 44 09 91 82.

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