Aircraft
ATR’s Record Year Set To Get Better
Promotional materials seen at the Dubai Air Show site this week suggest that Tanzanian carrier Precision Air could confirm an order for two of ATR 42-6s.

For ATR, 2011 is already a record year for sales of its regional airliners, but the European manufacturer could have more business to announce soon. Promotional materials seen at the Dubai Air Show site this week suggest that an African carrier could confirm an order for a pair of ATR 42-600s on Monday, plus options for two more and also one for the larger ATR 72-600.

As of the eve of the airshow, ATR had logged 145 firm orders this year and with an additional 72 options the value of these deals is $4.8 billion. The Toulouse, France-based company’s backlog now totals 267 of its twin turboprop aircraft, representing four years of production. Next year, it will increase production rates from 54 to 72 aircraft and rising sales could drive this up to 80 and then 85 over the subsequent two years.