ATR Celebrates 40-year Anniversary and Looks to Shape Future of Regional Aviation
- 1,800 aircraft sold over the company’s four decade history
- ATR to further incorporate innovative technologies in its aircraft to serve local communities and regions sustainably
Toulouse, 4 November 2021 – ATR today marks its 40-year anniversary, celebrating key breakthroughs for regional aviation over the past four decades. The market-leading turboprop manufacturer will also use this milestone to look to the future, as it continues to incorporate innovative and sustainable technologies into its aircraft.
On November 4 1981, ATR’s founding partners – Aerospatiale of France and Aeritalia of Italy – signed the agreement that sealed the shared ambition to produce an aircraft designed for regional connectivity. With an initial business case for a few hundred aircraft, 40 years later, the ATR family now has four versions and ATR has sold 1,800 aircraft. The programme’s enduring success stems from a design that set a benchmark in innovation, incorporating composite materials for the first time. This initial technological leap has since been supplemented by the company’s dedication to continuous development, integrating new technology that deliver tangible benefits to passengers and operators alike.
Burning 40% less fuel, emitting 40% less CO2 than regional jets and able to serve the world’s most challenging runways, the ATR is the go-to aircraft to provide essential connectivity, sustainably. The combination of this fuel efficiency and versatility, has made it the perfect tool to deliver regional connectivity to local communities, supporting people to connect for business, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities.
ATR has built strong foundations with which to enter the next phase of regional aviation and has set ambitious milestones in the years to come:
- Fly on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by 2025
- Deliver the ATR 42-600S Short Take-Off and Landing version by 2025 and open up connectivity to 500 additional airports with short runways
- Expand the regional freighter offer with the ATR72-600F, tapping into the demand for 460 regional freighters over the next 20 years.
Stefano Bortoli, CEO of ATR said: “Our story is one of innovation and progress. Over four decades, we have brought connectivity and economic opportunity to remote regions across the globe. Most importantly, we will continue to make a difference, connecting people, businesses and local communities in a sustainable way over the next 40 years. We will support our customers by providing them with the latest available technologies, paving the way for zero-emission aviation by 2050.”
ATR industrial sites in Toulouse are also celebrating this milestone, starting with a fly over from the ATR aircraft family and other employee events throughout the day.
To stay up-to-date with all of ATR’s activities for the 40-year anniversary, follow us on Twitter (@atraircraft), Linkedin (ATR), Instagram (atraircraft) and Facebook (@atraircraft): #40years #40thAnniversary #4november #40YearsOfMakingADifference
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.