The company said it secured firm orders for 113 aircraft in the 12 months to December 31 2017, up from 36 firm orders in the prior corresponding period.
“In 2017, the ATR turboprops once again ranked first among all the sales of regional aircraft below 90 seats,” ATR said in a statement on Monday (European time).
The big increase from the prior year was underpinned by India-based IndiGo’s order for 50 ATR 72-600s. Other significant orders included global logistics company FedEx (30 ATR 72-600Fs) and Iran Air (10 ATR 72-600s).
The 2017 results also highlighted the geographic diversity in ATR’s order book, which features orders from airlines in the Bahamas, France, Japan, Senegal and Taiwan.
“In 2017, ATR has sold aircraft in every region of the world and in particular has invested substantially in growing markets,” the company said.
“In the last year, ATR has developed its support capabilities with the introduction of two new training simulators, while two additional simulators will be introduced soon.”
Meanwhile, ATR said it delivered 80 aircraft in 2017, comprising 70 ATR 72-600s, eight 42-600s and two second hand aircraft.
This represented a book-to-bill ratio of 1.45.
There was further good news for ATR in early 2018, when US-based Silver Airways said it would introduce the type into its fleet as a replacement for its existing 21 Saab 340B turboprops.
The regional carrier plans to add 16 ATR 42-600s and four ATR 72-600s via lease from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), with entry into service due to take place in March and deliveries running out to 2020
Based in Toulouse, France, ATR is jointly held by Airbus and Leonardo.
Its ATR 72-600, which seats 68 seats in a standard one-class configuration, competes with Bombardier’s Q400. The ATR 42-600 is designed to carry 48 passengers.
ATR operators in this part of the world include Air New Zealand, PNG Air and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines.
