Projects Strong Turboprop Sales In The Regional Market Going
Forward
European regional turboprop manufacturer ATR released data
Wednesday that shows orders booked for 80 new aircraft in 2010,
plus options for 33. ATR also says it generated a turnover of $1.35
billion – almost three times the turnover achieved in 2005.
These results illustrate the first signs of recovery of the
aviation industry in 2010. They enable ATR to prepare itself to
reach its next significant step of growth from 2012 onwards: yearly
deliveries around 70 aircraft and turnover reaching $1.8
billion.
ATR booked orders for 80 new aircraft with 12 customers. Of
these 12, five are new ATR clients which booked a total of 45
aircraft (56% of annual orders). Sales, including options, are
valued at some $2.4 billion. Since the beginning of the program,
ATR has booked net orders for 1,074 aircraft (423 ATR 42s and 651
ATR 72s). A third of these have been booked since 2005. “We
registered significant orders from new customers in Latin America
and the Caribbean region, as well as strong signs of confidence of
lessors –Air Lease Corporation-, thus increasing our
worldwide presence," said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer
of ATR. "We have now a strong baseline in order to prepare ATR for
next important step.
ATR 72-600
ATR delivered 51 new aircraft in 2010. As of 31 December 2010,
ATR has delivered 915 aircraft (412 ATR 42s and 503 ATR 72s). ATR
also generated a turnover of $1.35 billion, which represents a
substantial growth compared to turnover achieved in 2005. For the
third consecutive year, despite the adverse financial and
economical context, ATR has recorded a consolidated turnover of
over $1.3 billion.
The company ended 2010 with a backlog of 159 aircraft, a major
increase from year-end 2009 (136 aircraft), and representing three
years of production at the current delivery rate. It completed
transactions for 29 cash sales, the same as in 2009. It reports a
portfolio of 165 operators in 92 countries, adding 46 new operators
to its portfolio since 2005.
ATR feels that turboprop sales have clearly dominated the
regional market over recent years, with more than 75% of sales,
underlining clear demand for cost-efficient regional aircraft.
Also, the expected increase in fuel costs and new environmental
constraints in the EU Emissions Trade Scheme (ETS) will put further
pressure on airlines’ costs over the coming years.
“There is an estimated demand of almost 3,000 turboprop
aircraft in the next 20 years, comprising 60% of growth and 40% of
replacement needs," Bagnato said. "Our goal is to confirm our
leading position in the turboprop market with over 50% of market
share. In response to this increasing demand, we are ready to step
up to a new level of growth from 2012 onwards, delivering 70
aircraft per year, and reaching a level of $1.8 billion-turnover
over the next few years.
ATR 42-600 Photo By Pierre Barthe
“There is strong commercial potential for ATR in regions
such as South East Asia, India and Latin America, where ATR has
been highly successful in recent years, and also in other emerging
economies," he continued. "Additionally, there is a strong
replacement potential in mature markets. We are glad to offer a
family of aircraft known for their lowest operating costs and
lowest environmental impact”.
ATR expects to gain certification for both ATR -600 series
models this year. Deliveries of the first ATR 72-600 will start by
mid-2011, while deliveries of ATR 42-600s will start before the
year end.