IATA AT5ICAO AT45

Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 42-500

Aerospatiale

TravelerPulse profile

Enhanced regional turboprop serving short-haul routes worldwide.

First flight

1994

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

48–50 passengers

Range

1,326 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127E turboprops

Status

In service

The ATR 42-500 is an enhanced variant of the ATR 42 regional turboprop aircraft, developed jointly by Aérospatiale of France and Alenia of Italy under the ATR consortium. It was introduced in the mid-1990s as a significant upgrade over earlier -300 and -320 variants, featuring more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127E engines and six-blade composite propellers for improved performance and reduced noise. The -500 variant offers better hot-and-high performance compared to its predecessors, making it suitable for operations in challenging environments. Its modernized avionics and cabin improvements also enhanced passenger comfort and operational efficiency for regional carriers. The ATR 42-500 became a popular choice among regional and commuter airlines globally, bridging the gap between smaller turboprops and larger regional jets on thin routes where economics favor turboprop operations.

Notable operators

Major operators have included Air France (through regional subsidiaries), Finnair, SATA Air Açores, Air Tahiti, and various African and Asian regional carriers.

Notable facts

›Introduced six-blade Hamilton Sundstrand composite propellers for reduced noise and improved efficiency.
›Features a maximum cruise speed of approximately 510 km/h (275 kt).
›The -500 designation reflects upgraded engines and avionics compared to earlier ATR 42 variants.
›Shares a high degree of commonality with the larger ATR 72 family, reducing training and maintenance costs.
›Certified for operations in challenging conditions including hot-and-high airfields.