ATR 72

The ATR 72 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner developed and manufactured by ATR as a stretched derivative of the ATR 42. First flown in 1988 and entering service in 1989, the ATR 72 features a fuselage stretch of 4.5 meters compared to the ATR 42, increasing capacity to 68-78 passengers. The aircraft maintains the high-wing configuration and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 series turboprop engines, with later variants featuring the more powerful PW127 engines. The family includes multiple variants: the original ATR 72-200, the improved ATR 72-500 with glass cockpit and more powerful engines, and the latest ATR 72-600 featuring new engines, avionics, and cabin improvements. The ATR 72 has become the world's best-selling regional turboprop aircraft, with over 1,000 units delivered. Known for exceptional fuel efficiency (40-50% better than regional jets on routes under 500 km), low operating costs, excellent reliability, and outstanding short-field performance, the ATR 72 dominates the 70-seat regional turboprop market.