Asia Pacific now second largest market for ATR

The Asia Pacific region has become the largest market outside Europe for ATR Regional Aircraft, the world’s leading manufacturer of 50-70 seat turboprop airliners. Almost one third of the ATR aircraft currently operating around the world are now based in the Asia Pacific area, the fastest-growing market for airline services – and the number of ATRs in the region continues to grow.

Of the 854 ATR aircraft in service today, 244 – or 29 per cent – are in the Asia Pacific region, stretching in an arc from Pakistan and India, through China, South East and North Asia to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Asia Pacific has represented some 50% of the total ATR sales since 2005. In the first nine months of 2011, ATR has booked some 70 additional orders with Asia-Pacific carriers.  Today, Asia Pacific represents more than 110 aircraft in ATR’s backlog, some 40% of the total.

“Turboprop aircraft are in strong demand, as airlines around the world seek to increase their short haul services while reducing operating costs,” said John Moore, Head of Sales for ATR Regional Aircraft. “Nowhere is that demand greater than in the Asia Pacific region, where demand for air travel is significantly greater than in any other part of the world, not just now but for the foreseeable future,” said Mr Moore. “Our aircraft burn significantly less fuel not only than similar-capacity regional jets, but 30 per cent less than our nearest competitor, the Bombardier Q400 turboprop,” he said. “Together with lower noise emissions and greater cabin comfort, ATR turboprops are fast becoming the aircraft of choice throughout the Asia Pacific market.”

There are currently 175 ATR operators worldwide, 50 of them in based in the Asia Pacific area. Countries served by ATR aircraft in this region are Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam. One of the newest ATR customers, Australia’s Skywest Airlines, recently took delivery of the first two of eight ATR 72 aircraft, to be flown on Australian regional routes on behalf of Virgin Australia. Skywest has ordered four ATR 72-500s, for delivery this year, and four next-generation ATR 72-600s, to join the carrier next year. It also holds options to acquire five more series 600 aircraft.

ATR’s latest global market review estimates a requirement for 3,100 new turboprop airliners by the year 2030, of which 30 per cent are expected to go to operators in the Asia Pacific region. These aircraft will accommodate market growth as well as replacing older turboprops and regional jets.