Aircraft
ATR To Cease ATR 72-500 Production in 2012
ATR will cease ATR 72-500 production in 2012.

Russia’s NordStar Air ordered three ATR 42-600s yesterday, adding to the Siberia-based carrier’s previous commitment for a pair of the 48-seat twin turboprop and options for two more. This takes ATR’s orders tally for 2011 to an impressive 148, and the European airframer now claims an 80-percent share of the market for 50- to 90-seat regional airliners sold this year.

ATR will cease production of the 68-seat ATR 72-500 next year, as production of the model’s successor–the 72-600–takes off, company CEO Filippo Bagnato said yesterday at the Dubai Air Show.