ATR is predicting a revival in regional turboprop sales within the next few years, as aircraft come up for replacement. "There is no way all the 30-seaters will be replaced with jets," believes Antoine Bouissou, president of the US arm, ATR Marketing.
He calculates that some 450 30-seat turboprops operated by US regionals will need to be replaced and predicts that "a good part will be replaced with turboprops." ATR forecasts potential sales of 200 46-seat ATR 42-500s.
President Patrick Gavin says sustained production of 40 ATR 42s and 72s a year "is reasonable". ATR sold 54 aircraft last year and delivered over 40.
The ATR 72-210A has been redesignated the ATR 72-500 to emphasise its commonality with the ATR 42-500. The two are almost 90% common, sharing avionics, propellers and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 engines.
Source: Flight International
