During the Paris Air Show, ATR officials announced the launch of its new variant of the ATR 42-600 — the 'STOL' (Short Take Off and Landing) — which is able to take off and land on runways of only 800 meters. That is 250 meters less than the classic version.

The turboprop specialist has made public a letter of intent for 10 aircraft from the leasing company Elix Aviation Capital that will be delivered between 2022 and 2024, an additional 2 for Air Tahiti and 5 more for an undisclosed client.

ATR Chief Executive Officer Stefano Bortoli said: “The new variant of the ATR 42-600 will be launched by the end the year since it doesn’t require a different certification. Still, the classic aircraft will be subject to some adjustments of the rudder, the breaks and flaps systems and have a bigger tailplane, a new engine powering software and autopilot modifications”.

Among the companies targeted by ATR for its new variant, the insular carriers as well as the one serving airfields with a short runway, like the one located in the mountains, could be potential clients.

The STOL version of the ATR 42-600 widens the portfolio of options for potential clients, after the launch at the end of November 2017 of the ATR 72-600 Freighter.

ATR can already be satisfied with this 2019 edition of the Paris Air Show. Indeed, three days have been enough to get $1.7 billion worth of orders for 75 aircraft. Besides, in addition to these seventeen ATR 42-600 STOL, the manufacturer announced a firm order of thirty-five ATR 72-600 for the leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital and 22 further 72-600 for an undisclosed client, while the Colombian company EasyJet took one ATR 42-600.