Aircraft maker, ATR is refocusing its business and, in the process, has scrapped “the development of its Short Take-Off and Landing variant (STOL), the ATR 42-600S, reflecting the company’s commitment to aligning operations with evolving market dynamics.” ATR says “Following an extensive market review and in light of lingering tensions on its supply chain”, they have decided to “focus efforts on further boosting the competitiveness of its current product portfolio.”
In 2019, ATR confirmed that it had received authorisation from its board of directors for the launch of the ATR 42-600S with 20 commitments from operators and lessors for this ATR 42-600S variant.
But in its latest statement, ATR explained that “the comprehensive review of market conditions, technological advancements and future projections shows a reduced addressable market for the variant compared to the initial forecast.” The aircraft manufacture citing Southeast Asia for instance said: “the number of targeted airports requiring STOL-capable aircraft has significantly decreased, primarily because of runway extensions or the construction of nearby alternative airports, and this trend is mirrored in other key target markets. While this reduces the addressable market for the ATR 42-600S, it means that our current product line can operate at its full capacity.”
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “As a global leader on the regional market, ATR has a responsibility towards its customers, stakeholders and the industry at large to continuously evaluate its product portfolio to meet market demand. The decision to halt the STOL project reflects our dedication to operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.”
The CEO further stated: “We are now entering the next phase of growth and improvement where we will focus on further investing in the competitiveness of our market-leading products, the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. Delivering strong value propositions to regional airlines has always been central to our success. This commitment is the reason why our aircraft have remained industry leaders and a trusted choice for our customers over the past 40 years and continues to be our driving force for what lies ahead.”
She continued: “As part of this commitment, we have identified a series of product improvements which aim at further reducing the costs of operations and increasing the availability of our aircraft. These improvements directly reflect the needs and insight shared with our customers. To achieve these goals, we are working closely with our key suppliers and have developed comprehensive action plans to drive progress on these enhancements. This step is essential to maintain our competitive edge, as well as our position as a trusted partner to our customers, operators and stakeholders worldwide.”