Writer

Thierry Dubois

Standing at 88 orders so far this year, regional turboprop manufacturer ATR’s order book may well break the previous record of 90 in 2005, a confident Stéphane Mayer, the company’s CEO, said here yesterday during a press conference.
The latest order came on November 8, from Malaysian-based MASwings for 10 ATR 72-500s. The Alenia-EADS joint venture is now readying itself and its supply chain for a steep production ramp-up. From 44 deliveries in 2007, it will rise to 64 next year and 80 in 2009. That is supported by a backlog of 184 aircraft, 80 percent of which are 70-seaters.
Salespeople’s focus has now turned to the new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600. According to commercial senior v-p Jacques Desbarats, “two or three” formal proposals are under discussion. ATR announced the launch of the -600 series earlier this year in an effort to re-stimulate a largely idle North American market.

ATR boss predicts record year

Standing at 88 orders so far this year, regional turboprop manufacturer ATR’s order book may well break the previous record of 90 in 2005, a confident Stép