The development of a new-generation turboprop engine is central to ATR's plans for a larger family of aircraft that could enter service from the middle of the next decade.
The Alenia Aeronautica/EADS joint venture confirmed that it had begun preliminary studies into a new two-member turboprop family in the 80- to 90-seat capacity range during the World Air Transport Forum in Cannes, France in October.
"We are thinking about a new family of turboprops with a capacity of 80-90 seats," says ATR marketing vice-president Mario Formica. "This is something we are discussing internally and with the engine manufacturers."
A new powerplant is key to ATR's plans, says Formica, and that discussions are under way with Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce about "a new-generation engine to power this next generation of turboprop".
The new aircraft will be competing directly with large regional jets - including the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in which parent Alenia is a programme partner. Formica says that to be competitive in the 80- to 90-seat segment "we have to maintain the 30% [cost-saving] gap and to keep the gap we would need new technology".
R-R confirms it is in talks with ATR, but that discussions are at "a very early stage" as part of the on-going dialogue it has with airframers about potential future developments. Pratt & Whitney Canada, which supplies the ATR 42/72's current powerplant, says it is constantly evaluating future engine technology, but declines to comment specifically about the talks with ATR.
Formica says that the new aircraft study - which envisages a two aircraft family - was launched 18 months ago had been kept secret as "we don't want to talk to the airlines without something credible". Formica adds that the new family would not enter service before 2015, once technology from aircraft programmes such as the new-generation Airbus and Boeing types has been proven.
ATR recently launched its new ATR 42/72-600 series and Formica says that around 11 airlines, primarily from the USA, have expressed an interest in this updated aircraft.
Meanwhile, Bombardier Regional Aircraft international markets and airline analysis director Philippe Poutissou says the company continues to study the proposed Q400X stretch derivative of the 70-seat Dash 8 Q400, which if launched cold enter service in 2011.
Source: Flight International
