Aircraft manufacturer forecasts demand for 2,100 turboprops over the next two decades, driven by fleet renewal, expanding regional connectivity and emerging market opportunities.
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is confident that demand for turboprop aircraft will remain strong over the coming decades, supported by airline fleet renewal programmes, the expansion of regional air networks and increasing connectivity needs in emerging markets. Despite not announcing any new aircraft orders during this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, the company says its order pipeline continues to outpace production, reinforcing confidence in the long-term outlook for the turboprop segment. The company shared these insights during the airshow, highlighting its commercial performance and future strategy. (Source: ATR)
According to Alexis Vidal, Chief Commercial Officer at ATR, the manufacturer has consistently sold more than 50 aircraft annually over the past two years while producing approximately 35 aircraft each year. This has enabled ATR to maintain a book-to-bill ratio above one, resulting in a steadily growing order backlog.
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“Our book-to-bill ratio is above one, and we have a growing order backlog,” Vidal said, underlining the sustained market appetite for ATR’s regional aircraft.
Forecast Points to 2,100 Turboprop Aircraft Demand
Looking ahead, ATR forecasts a global requirement for approximately 2,100 new turboprop aircraft over the next 20 years. Around two-thirds of this demand is expected to come from airlines replacing ageing fleets, while the remaining one-third will be generated by new regional routes and network expansion.
The company believes this replacement cycle offers a stable and predictable market opportunity.
“We are not basing our projections on fantasy; we know the majority of our market is based on routes already operating today,” Vidal said, noting that existing operators are increasingly transitioning to ATR’s latest ATR 600 Series aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT engines. According to ATR, the upgraded engines deliver fuel savings of up to 5% compared with the previous generation, reducing operating costs while improving efficiency.
Mobility Monitor Identifies Untapped Regional Markets
Beyond aircraft manufacturing, ATR is increasingly positioning itself as a provider of regional connectivity solutions through its Mobility Monitor platform.
The digital analytics tool uses millions of anonymised GPS-based mobility data points to study how people travel between cities by road, rail, air and sea. The objective is to identify underserved routes where regional aviation can offer faster and more efficient transport options.
India represents one of the most significant opportunities identified through the platform. ATR estimates that the country records approximately 4.6 billion intercity journeys annually, yet only around 3% of those trips are made by air. The remaining 97% rely on surface transportation, highlighting significant potential for regional air services.
“Asia remains the fastest-growing aviation region,” Vidal said, adding that ATR aircraft often provide the first flying experience for many passengers in developing economies.
The manufacturer believes regional aircraft can dramatically reduce travel times, replacing road journeys of eight to eighteen hours with flights of roughly 90 minutes, improving accessibility for both passengers and businesses.
Hybrid-Electric Technology Shapes Future Strategy
ATR is also investing in next-generation propulsion technologies aimed at improving environmental performance without compromising operational reliability.
Supported by the European Union’s Clean Aviation programme, the company plans to conduct the first flight test of a hybrid-electric ATR 72-600 by 2029.
Rather than developing an entirely new aircraft platform, ATR is integrating hybrid propulsion into its existing certified aircraft architecture.
“We are prioritising a credible development roadmap by integrating hybrid propulsion into an aircraft platform that is already certified and in production, rather than pursuing unproven technology,” Vidal explained.
The strategy is intended to reduce technical risks while accelerating the adoption of lower-emission regional aviation technologies.
New Cabin Concepts Expand Market Applications
Alongside technological innovation, ATR is broadening the operational versatility of its aircraft through new cabin configurations designed for premium and corporate travel.
Its recently introduced HighLine cabin transforms the ATR 72-600 into an all-business-class aircraft, replacing the conventional two-by-two seating layout with spacious individual seats. The first HighLine aircraft has already been delivered to Berjaya Air in Malaysia, while additional deliveries to Air Tahiti are scheduled for 2027 and 2028.
ATR is also developing a flexible Corporate Shuttle configuration for the ATR 42-600, enabling operators to quickly reconfigure cabins with worktables, lounge seating and customised layouts for corporate group transportation.
These developments allow ATR aircraft to serve a broader range of missions beyond traditional regional airline operations.
Regional Aviation Remains Central to Growth
With more than 200 operators across 100 countries, ATR believes regional aviation will continue to play a critical role in improving accessibility, stimulating economic development and connecting underserved communities.
The manufacturer’s long-term strategy combines fleet replacement demand, emerging-market expansion, technological innovation and diversified aircraft applications to reinforce its position in the global regional aviation sector.
“We want to create possibilities,” Vidal said. “We want to create new routes and enable those first flights for children and families in developing regions so they can realise the benefits of aviation.”
As airlines continue to seek cost-efficient, fuel-efficient and sustainable solutions for short-haul operations, ATR expects turboprop aircraft to remain an essential part of the regional air transport ecosystem for decades to come.
