ATR takes a flight in regional aviation and eco-friendly aircraft

By Staff Report December 2, 2024 7:29 pm IST

ATR is adapting its manufacturing strategies to meet rising demand in India. Jean-Pierre Clercin, Head of Sales Asia-Pacific at ATR, shares that they are focused on fuel efficiency and low emissions, with ATR’s aircraft being ideal for regional connectivity. With plans to produce 80 aircraft annually, ATR aims to enhance air travel accessibility and support economic growth in underserved regions.
How has ATR adjusted its manufacturing strategies to keep up with rapid aviation growth?

ATR was established in 1981, and over the past four decades, the regional aviation market has witnessed significant evolutions marked by changing trends and demands. Initially, regional air travel was limited and focussed on major cities and hubs. As economies expanded, populations grew, and infrastructure improved, there was a surge in demand for regional connectivity to smaller and more remote areas. Then, just before the 2000s, ATR had to adapt to a decline in demand for new turboprop aircraft. We navigated these shifts by consistently providing aircraft that catered to regional air travel. Through improved technologies and with a focus on fuel efficiency and low operating costs, ATR aircraft have proven their adaptability for short-haul routes and have continued to meet the evolving needs of the market year after year. More recently, COVID-19 struck the entire industry, and once again, ATR demonstrated its resilience, maintaining its leading position in the market. We worked with our supply chain networks to adapt production to market needs. These ups and downs are an integral part of the life of a manufacturer, and we know how to navigate them.

How did these strategies impact the Indian market?

We make an ideal partner to support the transformation of India’s aviation sector. For the past two years, we have analysed India’s mobility patterns. The landscape of intercity travel uncovers a compelling narrative of proximity and connectivity. A staggering 90% of intercity journeys span distances between 100 and 400 nautical miles, regardless of mode. This range aligns with the scope of regional flights, emphasising the inherent logic and practicality of investing in regional aviation nationwide. This enhances connectivity and accessibility across India’s diverse regions. Presently, merely 3% of these journeys are conducted by air, indicating substantial potential for growth in air travel share. This underscores the vast potential of India. If you benchmark India’s air transport share against European or Asian markets, which typically range from 6 to 9%, going from 3% to 6-9% represents a significant leap that we consider entirely feasible.

We are looking at India as one of our main markets, if not our main market. Currently, there are 67 ATR aircraft flying across the country, serving various airlines such as IndiGo, our largest airline operator, Alliance Air, our long-standing partner, and the new entrant Fly91. There is a potential for an additional 200 regional aircraft over the next decade, catering to existing and new customers, including startup regional airlines. This optimistic outlook is significantly supported by initiatives such as the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. We conducted an extensive survey at ATR to quantify the travel patterns of approximately 20 million Indians in 2022 and 2023. From this survey, we can see the flow between different cities by all modes of transport. We identified an underlying potential for air services based on the demand, speed, and convenience of air transportation. We see a need for around 300 new regional routes under 750km. 

As the demand for regional aircraft in India continues to rise, ATR will expand its production capacity to meet the growing needs. By the end of the decade, we aim to produce 80 aircraft annually, ensuring customers worldwide have access to state-of-the-art, efficient, cost-effective and reliable aircraft tailored for regional operations.

ATR is known for its low-emission regional aircraft. Can you explain how your technology and manufacturing processes achieve high fuel efficiency and low emissions?

ATR is committed to being a key player in making aviation more environmentally responsible while maintaining regional aviation’s affordability and, therefore, inclusiveness. Our focus has always been on designing fuel-efficient turboprops that produce lower emissions.

ATR aircraft are, by design, well-suited for low-fare markets like India. For the same thrust level, a turboprop needs less engine core power compared to a jet engine, thanks to the propeller with a bigger diameter versus the fan of a classical jet engine. The overall propulsive efficiency is greater, hence reducing fuel consumption. An ATR 72-600 burns 45% less fuel than a similar-sized jet in typical regional sectors; this is why our aircraft are already the lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market today. Our newly adopted PW127XT engine reduces fuel burn by 3% and maintenance costs by 20% compared to the previous version, significantly impacting overall CO2 emissions and the sustainability of regional operations. This means our aircraft only emit 69g of CO2 per seat per km on a 300 nautical miles route. We are helping to limit the carbon footprint of regional aviation by offering aircraft that consume up to 45% less fuel than regional jets of similar size.

What innovations are you using to keep your aircraft environmentally friendly?

We invest in new technologies like SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Today, all ATR aircraft are certified to operate with up to 50% SAF. We expect 100% SAF compatibility during the second half of the decade, as per international fuel standard validation. We’ve already flown with 100% SAF, including a successful flight in June 2022, where we became the first to fly a commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. As far as our operations are concerned, we are committed to increasingly using SAF. In 2023, we have used 10% of SAF on average for our internal flights, and we target 16% in 2024. The technology is ready, and we are waiting for the international fuel standard validation.

At the start of the next decade, we plan to make even greater strides in reducing emissions through mild hybridisation and enhanced propeller technologies with our ATR EVO concept. The plan foresees a renewal of the propulsion system with a hybrid-electric capability, new propellers, and improved cabin and systems, all of which will be eco-designed. We aim for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to our current aircraft.  

Improving operations, including the latest air traffic management innovations, and managing the whole lifecycle of our aircraft, from design to recycling, will also help us achieve our sustainability goals. Today, 85.5% of our aircraft components are recyclable or reusable.

Our low-carbon commitments are robust: we have received the approval of our near-term emission reduction targets from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Last year, we disclosed data on our environmental impact for the first time with CDP Climate Change and received a B-score. This shows our commitment to leading by example and inspiring our industry, including our supply chain, towards sustainability. 

Sustainability is also about connections. Our aircraft help sustain vital links for the most remote, smallest communities, providing quick access to healthcare, employment opportunities, education and culture. One-third of the 3900 commercial airports of the world are exclusively served by turboprop aircraft; they fly where other aircraft can’t, ensuring that everyone benefits from all the opportunities of a connected world.  

The non-CO2 effects of aviation are also increasingly measured, and ATR is particularly conscious of this. Despite the current uncertainties on the exact magnitude of non-CO2 emissions and especially contrails on the climate, there is a scientific consensus on the importance of the warming effect of contrails. The aviation industry must anticipate these effects, select appropriate metrics for evaluation, and implement mitigation actions when possible. Turboprops like ATRs have a great advantage in that regard. They cruise at lower altitudes, making their operations less prone to induce contrails. As far as noise is concerned, ATR is compliant with the most stringent external noise standards. For instance, the ATR 72-600’s external noise is 5.1 EPNdB below ICAO’s Chapter 14 limit. 

How is ATR adapting its production to meet growing demand, particularly in emerging markets?

With fuel accounting for a large portion of an airline’s costs, the unbeatable efficiency of our aircraft also makes them economically relevant to operate on regional routes. This makes jet aircraft less relevant for regional sectors, constituting 90% of all inter-city trips in India. By optimising yields and operational economics, ATR enables airlines to maximise profitability and sustainability without compromising performance or passenger experience. Our turboprops are the ideal aircraft to meet the needs of the UDAN scheme. They are the only ones capable of delivering both the profitability airlines are looking for and the affordability their passengers are demanding.

As India aspires to become a global aviation hub, ATR is poised to play a central role in this journey, fostering growth, innovation and connectivity. We understand India’s aspirations and stand as the natural partner for Indian airlines seeking to expand their regional footprint. We have a 25-year presence in the Indian market. We aim to continue exploring avenues to enhance our supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the reliability of our aircraft, ensuring that we deliver value and excellence to our partners in India and beyond. We aim to contribute to the democratisation of air travel and the economic development of regional communities by empowering airlines to operate economically viable and sustainable services on underserved routes, including those created under the UDAN scheme.