ATR is the Franco-Italian specialist in regional turboprop aircraft. Its two closely related airliner families—the ATR 42 and ATR 72—connect smaller communities, islands and regional centres while also serving cargo, government and special-purpose missions.
ATR takes its name from Avions de Transport Régional in French and Aerei da Trasporto Regionale in Italian. The manufacturer was created as an equal partnership between France’s Aérospatiale and Italy’s Aeritalia, whose successor organisations are now Airbus and Leonardo.
The ATR programme was officially launched on 4 November 1981. The partnership combined French and Italian experience in transport-aircraft design, structures, systems and production while avoiding the cost of two competing European regional-aircraft projects.
ATR is headquartered in the Toulouse area. The aircraft are produced through an integrated European industrial system, with major structures manufactured in France and Italy and final assembly, flight testing and delivery centred in Toulouse.
The first aircraft was the ATR 42, named for its original approximate 42-passenger capacity. The ATR 42 prototype made its maiden flight on 16 August 1984. Certification followed in 1985, and Air Littoral introduced the aircraft into commercial service later that year.
The original ATR 42-300 combined a high wing, large cargo capacity, robust landing gear and twin turboprop engines. Its layout gave passengers convenient boarding while allowing the aircraft to operate economically on short regional sectors and from airports with limited infrastructure.
The ATR 42 family evolved through improved engines, propellers, weights, avionics and cabin standards. Principal production generations included the ATR 42-300, ATR 42-320, ATR 42-500 and the current ATR 42-600.
The ATR 72 was launched as a stretched development of the ATR 42. It retained the same basic wing position, cockpit philosophy and systems architecture while adding fuselage length, capacity and performance changes for the 70-seat market.
The ATR 72 first flew on 27 October 1988 and entered airline service in 1989. The family developed through the ATR 72-200 and -210 series, the ATR 72-500 and the current ATR 72-600.
The close relationship between the ATR 42 and ATR 72 allows operators to use common training, maintenance practices, spare parts and operational procedures. Airlines can therefore match capacity to demand without introducing a completely separate aircraft type.
The -500 generation introduced more powerful engines, six-bladed composite propellers, improved cabin comfort and lower external noise. These aircraft became widespread with regional airlines and remain active in large numbers.
The current -600 generation introduced a redesigned glass cockpit with five large liquid-crystal displays, updated avionics, improved navigation capabilities and the Armonia cabin. The first ATR 72-600 was delivered in 2011, followed by the first ATR 42-600 in 2012.
The ATR 42-600 is presented as the smaller route-opening member of the family. The ATR 72-600 is the principal higher-capacity passenger model and forms the largest part of current ATR production and demand.
Passenger ATR aircraft have long been converted into freighters, combi aircraft and quick-change variants. Their large fuselage cross-section and ability to serve small airports make them useful for express parcels, mail and essential goods.
The ATR 72-600F is a new-build purpose-designed regional freighter rather than a converted passenger aircraft. It has a reinforced floor, a large cargo door and an interior designed for bulk freight or unit-load devices. The type entered service in 2020.
ATR airframes have been adapted for maritime patrol, coastal surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, environmental monitoring and government transport. Leonardo markets several military and security adaptations based primarily on the ATR 72 platform.
Special-mission versions benefit from long endurance at relatively low operating cost, a spacious cabin for consoles and mission equipment, and the ability to operate from regional airfields.
ATR developed the ATR 42-600S as a short-take-off-and-landing version intended for airports with runways as short as approximately 800 metres. The concept included larger control surfaces and additional take-off power.
Following a market review and continued supply-chain pressure, ATR stopped development of the ATR 42-600S in November 2024. It should therefore be treated as a discontinued development programme rather than part of the current production range.
ATR’s current new-production family consists of the ATR 42-600, ATR 72-600 and ATR 72-600F. Previous-generation ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft remain important in passenger, cargo and special-purpose service around the world.
ATR states that aircraft built since 1981 have been delivered to more than 200 airlines in 100 countries. The manufacturer also provides maintenance programmes, modifications, spare parts, engineering services, training and around-the-clock technical support.
In 2025, ATR recorded 60 gross aircraft orders and 50 net orders while preparing an industrial ramp-up for 2026. The company’s continued appeal is based on low fuel use on short sectors, access to smaller airports and the economic value of connecting communities that cannot support larger jets.
Aérospatiale and Aeritalia formally create the Franco-Italian regional-aircraft partnership.
The original regional turboprop begins flight testing on 16 August.
Air Littoral introduces the new aircraft into commercial operation.
The stretched member of the family flies on 27 October.
The higher-capacity aircraft begins airline operations.
A new generation introduces improved engines, propellers and cabin comfort.
The larger family receives the principal -500 generation improvements.
ATR launches a modernised cockpit and cabin generation.
The current passenger generation enters airline service.
The smaller -600 model joins the current family.
FedEx becomes launch customer for a purpose-built regional freighter.
The first new-build freighter is delivered.
ATR ends development of the proposed short-take-off-and-landing variant.
ATR expands industrial capacity following stronger 2025 demand.
ATR has produced two closely related regional-aircraft families. The shorter ATR 42 is optimised for thinner routes and smaller airports; the stretched ATR 72 offers greater passenger and cargo capacity while retaining extensive family commonality.
The original ATR family, covering the -200 development standard, -300, -320, rare -400, -500, current -600 and the discontinued -600S STOL project.
The stretched family, covering the early -100/-200/-210 standards, -500 and -600 passenger aircraft, converted freighters, the purpose-built -600F and special-mission derivatives.
ATR 42-200 → 42-300 → 42-320 → 42-400 → 42-500 → 42-600. The proposed 42-600S was stopped before production.
Compare ATR 42 variants →ATR 72-100/-200 → 72-210 → 72-500 → 72-600, with converted cargo aircraft, the factory-built 72-600F and maritime derivatives.
Compare ATR 72 variants →The ATR 42 has served in cargo, combi, government and utility roles, but most large special-mission and factory-freighter developments use the longer ATR 72 platform.
Earlier ATR 42 and ATR 72 passenger aircraft converted for parcels, mail, bulk freight and mixed passenger-cargo service.
Explore ATR cargo variants →A purpose-built cargo aircraft with a large freight door, reinforced floor and bulk or unit-load-device layouts.
Explore the ATR 72-600F →Leonardo-developed maritime-surveillance, patrol and anti-submarine variants based on the ATR 72 platform.
Explore special-mission ATR 72s →ATR is jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo, continuing the original Aérospatiale–Aeritalia partnership.
French and Italian facilities manufacture major aircraft sections and systems before final assembly and delivery in Toulouse.
The ATR 42 and ATR 72 share systems, cockpit philosophy and maintenance practices, reducing mixed-fleet complexity.
ATR provides maintenance programmes, spare parts, modifications, training, engineering services and continuous technical support.
ATR aircraft are frequent users of regional airports and often operate multiple short sectors each day. Mode S and ADS-B data can therefore reveal individual airframes moving between smaller communities and major connecting hubs.
| Family | Variants | Delivered | Acive fleet |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42 family | -200, -300, -320, -400, -500, -600 and -600S | 490 | 290 |
| ATR 72 family | -100/-200, -210, -500, -600, -600F and special missions | 1,350 | 1,260 |