In 2000, the French Italian consortium ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) registered orders for 82 ATRs (54 ATR 42s and 28 ATR 72s) with 29 operators.
ATR announces a total of 24 firm orders (6 ATR 42-500s and 18 ATR 72-500s) and 10 options (4 ATR 42-500 and 6 ATR 72-500) with 8 airlines. In addition ATR secured 48 second hand aircraft (44 ATR 42s and 4 ATR 72s), without counting 13 lease extensions which are not included in the overall results.
Since the re-establishment of ATR, ATR has sold a total of 75 new aircraft in less than 30 months.
ATR confirms its number one position in terms of cumulated deliveries.To date, 613 ATRs (359 ATR 42s and 254 ATR 72s) have been delivered to 100 airlines in 65 countries. ATR is the first civil turboprop programme to reach this level in only 15 years.
Also operators and investors confirm ATR's number one position in a yearly poll published by Airfinance Journal (October 2000), entitled this year, "Jets fail to kill turboprops".
Europe Europe continues to represent the biggest market for ATR where the jet-like comfort of the 500 Series is more and more recognised and appreciated.
Friedrich-Wilhelm Weitholz, Chairman of the Board of Eurowings Luftverkehrs AG confirmed this by stating : "Our passengers particularly appreciate the outstanding comfort of the ATR -500 Series."
**Eurowings decided, in December 2000, to add 6 ATR 72-500s to its fleet. The ATR 72-500 is the first aircraft purchase made by Eurowings since Lufthansa took a stake in the airline. With 27 ATRs (11 ATR 42s and 16 ATR 72s) Eurowings operates the largest ATR fleet in Europe.
**Air Dolomiti took 3 ATR 42-500s with an option for 4 additional aircraft of the same type in order to further develop its regional network in close collaboration with Lufthansa.
**The ATR 500 series entered the Air France network in 2000 with the introduction of an ATR 42-500 by Airlinair on the Lille-Strasbourg route.
**ATR also continued its market penetration in Eastern Europe, in Czech Republic with CSA (1 ATR 42-320) and in Poland with White Eagle ATR 42-300).
**ATR further consolidates its presence in the French overseas departments with Air Tahiti and Air Caraïbes taking respectively 1 ATR 42-500 and 1 ATR 72-500.
**Europe has participated in the ATR cargo success with the order of 2 ATR 42-300s by Farnair Europe, one of the major European players in the Express cargo transportation. Farnair Europe is the launch customer of ATR's full freighter version. (see also chapter on ATRs cargo conversion programme)
Africa ATR made a major breakthrough in the promising Algerian market with private airline Khalifa Airways who ordered a total of 7 ATRs (3 ATR 72-500s and 4 ATR 42-320s).
ATR also signed a contract for 2 second-hand cargo version ATR 42-300s with DHL Aviation Africa (part of DHL worldwide express) for their overnight delivery network specialising in express mail and parcel delivery services. Andy Lowe, Managing Director of DHL Aviation Africa : "The ATR is the ideal platform for our cargo operations. Its operational flexibility gives us the latitude we are looking for." These aircraft have been put into service on the West-African network and are operated by Rossair, headquartered in Johannesburg (South Africa).
The Americas The high performance of the ATR 42-500 is proving to be well adapted to the difficult environment (hot and high) of regional operations in Latin America. Long time customer Aces Colombia added 6 ATR 42-500s to its fleet.
**DHL worldwide express selected the ATR for its ideal cargo suitability for its operations with DHL Venezuela (1 ATR 42-300), DHL Guatemala (1 ATR 42-300), DHL Puerto Rico (1 ATR 42-300).
**Continental Express (US) as well as Aerogaviota and Aerocaribbean (Cuba) confirmed that the ATR has the confidence of the operators by transforming their lease into a cash sale. This has been confirmed by the yearly Operators' and Investors' poll (published by airfinance journal - Oct. 2000) where the ATR was ranked in the number one position amongst turboprops.
Asia and Asia Pacific The ATR 72-500 is well adapted to the Asian and Asia Pacific regional market as it has the lowest seat mile costs in the market.
Dr. Prasert, President of Bangkok Airways, commented: "The ATR has been a part of our fleet since 1994 and has played a vital role in the development of our success. We have been favourably impressed by the quality of the ATR new generation, particularly in terms of comfort."
**Bangkok Airways confirmed its satisfaction with its ATR fleet by ordering 6 ATR 72-500 and taking an option on 6 additional aircraft of the same type. Bangkok Airways currently operates 8 ATR 72-200/210 and 1 ATR 42-300.
**Air New Zealand ordered, at the beginning of 2000, 1 additional ATR 72-500 in order to further expand its already successful regional operations. Air New Zealand currently operates a total of 8 ATR 72-500s.
**In the second hand market, Necon Air (Nepal) took 1 ATR 42-320 for its spectacular mountain flights above the Himalaya. ATR's high wing design is perfectly adapted for this type of operation.
**South Asia Airways in Bangladesh signed up for 3 ATR 42-320s.
CARGO CONVERSION PROGRAMME The year 2000 has seen the launch of the ATR cargo conversion programme. To date 6 airlines have chosen the ATR cargo version:
**Farnair Europe (2 ATR 42-300s), one of the major European cargo carriers **DHL Aviation Africa/Rossair (2 ATR 42-300s) **DHL worldwide express Venezuela (1ATR 42-300) **DHL worldwide express Guatemala (1 ATR 42-300) **DHL worldwide express Puerto Rico (1ATR 42-300) **White Eagle (1 ATR 42-300)
ATR's cargo market is estimated at around 200 units in the next 10 years.
YEAR 2000 HIGHLIGHTS In February ATR organised its 7th operators' conference bringing together ATR operators, ATR suppliers and the ATR Customer Support organisation in order to exchange technical experience, know-how to continuously optimise ATR operations in the world. ATR's maintenance cost reduction programme has reached its objectives. The programme launched in 1999 has resulted in a 9,5% maintenance cost reduction equivalent to 21 USD/flight hour for the airlines.
Even though at the launch of the ATR programme (in 1981) the market had been estimated at 350 aircraft, ATR celebrated its 600th ATR delivery in Toulouse on April 28th 2000.
In July 2000, ATC gained momentum when it received 3 year JAA approval, which is the maximum period. In 2000 ATC has trained close to 175 pilots and 250 technicians.
At the end of July during the Farnborough Air Show ATR launched its cargo conversion programme.
In October 2000, the ATR family logged its 10 000 000th flight.
