ATR prepares for 2023 growth with a 160 aircraft backlog

The European turboprop manufacturer delivered 36 aircraft last year, though it is looking to scale up through 2023 as demand grows. Following three years of pandemic-induced decline, European turboprop manufacturer ATR has unveiled its optimistic plans for growth in 2023.

As the aviation industry’s recovery begins to reach the narrowest of regional routes, French aviation company ATR is finally feeling the benefits. In a statement posted Thursday, the company confirmed that the number of its in-service turboprops is steadily closing in on pre-pandemic figures, with around 1,200 ATR aircraft currently in the skies.

ATR’s growth plan is broadly on track with its previous predictions, with the aim of around 50 units delivered per year in 2024; however, supply chain restraints limited the company to just 36 jets for the year, comprised of 25 new and 11 pre-owned turboprops. Speaking to FlightGlobal, chief executive Nathalie Tarnaud Laude identified China’s cautious position to air travel through the pandemic, largely bringing down demand between 2020 and 2022.

ATR’s backlog is currently sitting at a firm 160 aircraft; however, nearly 300 more orders could be on the way following China’s recent certification of the lower capacity ATR 42-600 Tarnaud Laude added.