Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 72

The ATR 72 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner developed jointly by Aérospatiale of France and Alenia of Italy through their ATR consortium. It first flew in 1988 as a stretched, higher-capacity derivative of the ATR 42, featuring a fuselage extension of approximately 4.5 metres and increased wing area to accommodate up to 78 passengers. Designed for short-haul regional routes, the ATR 72 is widely regarded for its fuel efficiency compared to regional jets of similar capacity, making it a preferred choice for airlines operating thinner domestic and inter-regional routes. Its high-wing configuration and robust landing gear also suit operations into smaller, sometimes unpaved airstrips. The aircraft has undergone several upgrades since its introduction, with the current ATR 72-600 series offering modernised avionics, improved engines, and a refreshed cabin interior. ATR, now a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, continues to produce the type, making it one of the best-selling regional turboprops in aviation history.