As ATR seeks a landmark deal with a US carrier, the ATR 72-500 has made a favourable impression on US Airways, which is evaluating replacements for the ageing Bombardier Dash 8 fleet operated by subsidiary Piedmont Airlines.
ATR has yet to sign a major North American order since the turboprop sales revival began several years ago. It demonstrated an ATR 72-500 to Piedmont at its headquarters in Salisbury, Maryland and to US Airways in Phoenix as part of the airframer's recent North American tour.
"While we're still very early in the analysis process and many months away from announcing a replacement aircraft type and order, the ATR 72-500 turned heads," says US Airways in a recent employee newsletter. It adds that the ATR's quiet cabin "is pretty impressive as is the headroom and carry-on bin space". It notes that the aircraft is "remarkably quiet" and boasts "favourable operating economics".
Piedmont's Dash 8 fleet includes Dash 8-100s, -200s and -300s. In August 2006, the carrier confirmed early talks with Bombardier over a potential order for Q300s and Q400s.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
