Aircraft overview

The ATR 72 is a twin engine regional turboprop developed by ATR, the Franco Italian manufacturer formed by Aérospatiale and Aeritalia. It first flew on 27 October 1988 and entered airline service in 1989. Production continues through the current ATR 72-600 series. Larger than the ATR 42, the ATR 72 was designed for short regional routes where runway performance, fuel burn and seat cost matter more than jet speed. Its importance in the used market comes from a large global fleet, broad airline support, and suitability for scheduled passenger service, corporate shuttle work, combi operations and freight conversion.

Performance & specifications

Performance depends on variant, weight and configuration, but the current ATR 72-600 typically cruises at about 275 knots. Published maximum range is commonly around 825 nautical miles with a standard passenger payload, with longer ferry range in non revenue configurations. The aircraft has a maximum operating altitude of 25,000 feet. The ATR 72-600 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M turboprop engines driving six blade Hamilton Sundstrand propellers. Maximum passenger capacity is up to 78 seats, while a typical airline layout is around 70 to 72 seats. Maximum payload for later ATR 72 models is approximately 16,500 lb, subject to variant and operating limits.

Cabin & avionics

The ATR 72 cabin is arranged for high density regional service, normally in a 2 by 2 layout with a single aisle. Operators may specify a forward or rear passenger door arrangement depending on variant and interior package. Cabin features vary widely in used aircraft, from older commuter interiors to refreshed ATR HighLine or airline specific cabins on later aircraft. Avionics are not Garmin based. Earlier ATR 72 aircraft use conventional EFIS and radio navigation suites, while the ATR 72-600 introduced a Thales glass cockpit with five LCD displays, updated flight management functions, enhanced situational awareness and improved systems integration.

Buying & value

Used ATR 72 buyers should compare the -200, -210, -500 and -600 families carefully, as engines, avionics, propellers, weights and support economics differ. The -500 remains a common value oriented passenger and conversion candidate, while the -600 generally commands higher pricing for its newer cockpit, active production support and airline commonality. Key review items include airframe cycles, corrosion history, landing gear status, propeller condition, engine remaining life, maintenance program quality, service bulletin compliance and regional operating history. Freighter demand is also relevant, including converted ATR 72 cargo aircraft and the factory built ATR 72-600F.