Page 16 - AAA JULY / SEPTEMBER 2023 Latest Magazine | GBP

Growing Portfolio
The ATR 42-600S, a new Short Take-Off and
Landing (STOL) version of the ATR 42-600 has
already gained over 20 commitments from
airlines and lessors interested in the new 30
to 50 seater aircraft, which will be capable
of landing on runways as short as 800m. The
ATR 42-600S is expected to commence its
certification process, this year. Air Tahiti, a
longstanding ATR customer was the first air-
line to order the ATR 42-600S, back in 2018,
when it placed orders for two of the new STOL
regional transports. ATR is eyeing Japan, as
a prime example of a nation in need of a
modern STOL aircraft. Japan has 100 airports
spread across the vast archipelago and 10 of the efficiency of our product offering, the lack of sec-
these airports have a runway lengths between ond-hand aircraft available and traffic exceeding pre-covid
800 m - 1,000 m.
levels in certain areas of the globe will induce a need for
The ATR 42-600S incorporates specific mod- low-emission and versatile aircraft to support regional
ifications to enhance take-off and landing operators’ plans of both fleet replacement and growth.”
performance on short airfields. These mod-
ifications include Pratt & Whitney PW127XT Laude added: “ATR’s purpose is to connect communities
engines with increased take-off thrust (2,750 and businesses affordably and responsibly in the most
shp), a larger rudder for better control on the complex operational environments. Already today, our
ground; and reduce stopping distances, due to aircraft emit 45 percent less CO2 than similar-size regional
the ability to symmetrically deploy the ground jets, and with our EVO concept, we want to cut emissions
spoilers. further down. Thanks also to government support, we are
investing in technologies which will be used on our next
The airframer is also bullish on prospects generation aircraft, and we will get more results from the
for its ATR 72-600F, which is the only brand feasibility study by year-end.”
new purpose-built regional freighter, which
can carry up to nine tonnes of payload, has The ongoing development of a Short Take-Off and Landing vari-
a large cargo door and wide cross-section, ant of the ATR will also help grow future sales for the company.
for optimised cargo operations. Deliveries of To cater for growing demand, ATR is targeting to increase its
the ATR 72-600F started in 2020, when FedEx employee strength by 12 percent this year.
Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, inducted
its first aircraft. FedEx Express had signed a
firm order in 2017 for 30 aircraft, with the Malaysian airline Berjaya Air (Berjaya) will acquire two ATR
option to purchase 20 more. 72-600s in a unique “All-Business Class” configuration, which
is part of the new ATR HighLine premium collection of cabin
The purpose-built freighter’s clean design, interiors. These aircraft will have a have a 1-1 seat layout with
optimised for cargo, fuselage, affords the ATR individual outboard side stowage. Berjaya will take delivery of an
72-600F with a 75m3 freight capacity. The air- aircraft each in 2025 and 2026. Berjaya’s owner Tan Sri Vincent
craft’s large cargo door facilitates the optimal
loading of nine tonnes of payload and offers
the option of carrying either bulk cargo or,
when in Unit Load Device (ULD) mode, five 88”
x 108” pallets or up to seven LD3 containers.

Growing Demand
During a media briefing held at Le Bourget,
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive
Officer, said the new aircraft orders demon-
strate clear recovery signs from South-East
Asia, traditionally one of ATR’s largest mar-
kets. “We are confident that, in due time,

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