IATA AT7ICAO AT72

Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 72

Aerospatiale

European regional turboprop workhorse for short-haul routes.

First flight

1988

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

70–78 passengers

Range

1,528 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 turboprops

Status

In production

The ATR 72 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner developed jointly by Aérospatiale of France and Alenia of Italy through their ATR consortium. It first flew in 1988 as a stretched, higher-capacity derivative of the ATR 42, featuring a fuselage extension of approximately 4.5 metres and increased wing area to accommodate up to 78 passengers. Designed for short-haul regional routes, the ATR 72 is widely regarded for its fuel efficiency compared to regional jets of similar capacity, making it a preferred choice for airlines operating thinner domestic and inter-regional routes. Its high-wing configuration and robust landing gear also suit operations into smaller, sometimes unpaved airstrips. The aircraft has undergone several upgrades since its introduction, with the current ATR 72-600 series offering modernised avionics, improved engines, and a refreshed cabin interior. ATR, now a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, continues to produce the type, making it one of the best-selling regional turboprops in aviation history.

Notable operators

Major operators include IndiGo, Air France (via HOP!), FinnAir, TAROM, Air New Zealand, and numerous regional carriers worldwide.

Notable facts

›The ATR 72 is a stretched version of the ATR 42, with the fuselage extended by about 4.5 metres.
›The ATR 72-600, the latest variant, features full glass cockpit avionics and improved PW127M engines.
›Over 1,000 ATR 72s have been ordered since the type entered service.
›The aircraft was involved in the 1994 American Eagle Flight 4184 accident, which led to stricter icing certification requirements.
›ATR is jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica/Alenia Aermacchi).

This profile is AI-generated for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.