ATR - Avions de Transport Régional (EVX, Toulouse Blagnac) has announced it has secured 17 orders for its planned STOL-capable ATR42-600, which was unveiled during the 2019 Paris Air Show at Paris Le Bourget.

The Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) variant of the ATR42 will allow for take-offs and landings on runways as short as 800 metres. The project is, however, still subject to ATR board approval which is expected to be given by year-end.

According to the Franco-Italian manufacturer, three launch customers have thus far signed up for this new version including Air Tahiti (two), Elix Aviation Capital (a Letter of Intent for 10 due from 2022-24), and one undisclosed customer (five).

During show week, Nordic Aviation Capital signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with ATR for 35 firm ATR -600s, with options for a further 35 and purchase rights for another 35.

However, ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli told Aviation Week that the firm had also recorded orders from EasyFly (Colombia) (Bogotá) for one more standard variant ATR42-600 as well as 22 orders for ATR72-600s from at least one undisclosed customer.