ATR Revives Push Into Biz Av Market
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Benet Wilson
ATR is using appearances at events including last month's European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition to build interest in corporate versions of its ATR-42 and -72 turboprops as options for the business aviation market .
The French-Italian manufacturer has offered its turboprops to the business aviation market since it began production back in 1992, said Vice President of Marketing Mario Formica. "We can say about 10 percent, or 110 of our orders since the beginning of the program, are special versions, including corporate," he said. "So we're not new to the corporate market, but it is the first time we've attended EBACE."
ATR's VIP/corporate aircraft customers include Air Gabon, Lao Airlines, Tarom Romania, the Royal Thai Air Force, French Polynesia and Aerogaviota, the operator used by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Formica said.
The corporate versions of the ATR-42 and -72 offer flexibility, including VIP, passenger, quick-change and all-cargo versions, Formica said. "The ATR-42 can have 30 seats, or eight seats with a VIP lounge," he said. "With the -72, you can have a configuration where there's a forward VIP lounge and can seat up to 32 at a very comfortable pitch in the rear part in cabin."
ATR also is promoting the VIP/corporate version as a proven platform that is suited to the larger part of a company's operations, Formica said. "The ATR allows companies to optimize their flight operations department and not pay for transoceanic or trans-continental range," he explained. "It has a 600- to 700-mile range that has excellent short runway capability."
ATR plans to continue to attend dedicated business aviation events like EBACE and the National Business Aviation Association's annual meeting and convention in October, Formica said. "We're not sure we'll attend all business aviation shows, but we're looking at events like Middle East Business Aviation Convention and Exposition and the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition," he said.
Competition for the ATR includes the Bombardier Challenger and the Embraer Legacy, Formica said. "We have a clear advantage, with more cabin space and the ability to accommodate more adapted solutions to what the market requires," he explained.
Photo credit: ATR
