ATR Completes Turboprop Next-Gen Transition

DALLAS — ATR recently celebrated the complete transition from the ATR -500 series to the latest generation of turboprop aircraft, delivering its 1,700th aircraft, an ATR 72-600, to Air Corsica (XK).

With the latest delivery, the flag carrier of the French insular region of Corsica now operates seven ATR 72-600 aircraft, each powered by the PW127XT engines. 

Air Corsica, a long-time ATR customer, now operates the ATR 72-600 entirely. In November 2022, the airline was the first to receive this model equipped with the advanced PW127XT engine. 

This engine upgrade has significantly enhanced operational efficiency, reducing maintenance costs by 20% and fuel consumption by at least 3% compared to the previous PW127M engine.

ATR says this fleet upgrade has improved the reliability, comfort, and cost-efficiency of flights connecting Corsica’s four airports while also enhancing the airline's environmental sustainability.

Air Corsica Operations

The new aircraft will be crucial in enhancing regional connectivity, driving economic growth, and boosting tourism and investment opportunities in Corsica. 

Air Corsica operates 51% of the island's annual air traffic and 88% during the winter. With over 700 employees, it is the fourth-largest company in Corsica and has transported approximately 42 million passengers since its inception in 1990. 

The airline operates 12 public service domestic routes, 12 non-public service domestic routes, and 12 international routes, offering 22,800 flights annually. 

Air Corsica's fleet consists of 13 aircraft, including the seven ATR 72-600s and six Airbus A320s, four of which are A320neo models.

The ATR 72-600

Over 1,000 ATR 72 aircraft have been delivered in total, with a significant portion being the ATR 72-600 variant. The ATR 72 serves cities that lack railway service or that are isolated from metropolitan areas in terms of transportation methods.

One of its most important customers, Air Tahiti (VT), placed an additional order at FIA2024 for four ATR 72-600 props and signed a global maintenance agreement.

This Polynesian carrier operates the ATR on runways barely over 3,000ft (900m).