Avions de Transport Régional (ATR), the Franco-Italian turboprop aircraft manufacturer, last year just managed to keep its head above water despite the troubles affecting world aviation, due largely to a leap in its sales of second-hand aircraft. But it expects both to deliver and sell more new ATRs this year while maintaining its level of used airplane placements.
The Toulouse, France-based company last year took orders for 16 aircraft, six of which it completed in the last few days of the year. The company logged sales of 14 ATR 72-500s–three each to Bangkok Airways and Alitalia Express, two to Air New Zealand, one to Air Tahiti and five to an undisclosed airline–and two ATR 42-500s, one each to Eurolot of Poland and the French Polynesian government. It also sold 53 used aircraft. In 2001, ATR sold 25 new airplanes and 23 pre-owned. The 48-seat ATR 42 and 66-seat ATR 72–which entered service in 1995 and 1997, respectively–are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 engines.
