ATR turboprops are redefining regional aviation, from luxury resort transfers to essential cargo and public-service operations.
At the ATR Training Centre in Seletar, Singapore, a group of journalists emerges from an ATR 72-600 simulator, having experienced firsthand the controls and systems of the turboprop quietly transforming regional air connectivity. ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of regional turboprops, delivers aircraft that combine efficiency, versatility, and sustainability, connecting communities, businesses, and essential services where aviation is a lifeline.
The company has invested significantly in the region — a strategic move given that Asia Pacific represents its largest customer base. The Seletar facility equips pilots and crew across Southeast Asia with world-class training, maintaining the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, and service. Beyond aircraft sales, the centre underscores ATR’s commitment to nurturing aviation talent and strengthening infrastructure throughout the region.
ATR’s influence spans the globe, but in Southeast Asia it has become the go-to aircraft for operators connecting remote, mountainous, and island communities to major hubs. Capable of taking off and landing on short runways while emitting 45% less CO₂ per trip than comparable-sized regional jets, ATR turboprops have become a boon for sustainable and accessible air travel.
In Malaysia, carriers including Firefly, Berjaya Air, and AirBorneo rely on ATR aircraft to meet diverse operational needs while contributing to a robust regional aviation ecosystem.
PREMIUMISATION AND MODERNISATION
Lamberto Martinello, Head of Communications and Corporate Branding at ATR.
As demand for premium regional travel rises, ATR introduced the HighLine “All-Business Class” configuration, bringing luxury and sophistication to short-haul turboprop travel. With a 1-1 seating layout and individual outboard storage, the ATR 72-600 HighLine allows operators to reposition themselves as premium carriers, delivering the comfort and style expected by discerning travellers.
Berjaya Air is the first airline to adopt the concept, setting a benchmark for luxury regional travel. Other operators, including Air Tahiti and Air Cambodia, have since followed, demonstrating the growing appeal of ATR’s premium offering. Air Cambodia will also be the launch customer for the X-Space Table, allowing the airline to convert two economy seats into a single premium seat within minutes.
“The combination of operational efficiency with a premium cabin experience is setting a new benchmark for short-haul travel,” says Lamberto Martinello, Head of Communications and Corporate Branding at ATR. “Operators like Berjaya Air are demonstrating how turboprops can deliver both business-class comfort and accessibility to remote destinations.”
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
ATR aircraft are continuing to connect communities across the world.
Beyond luxury travel, ATR turboprops continue to connect communities in some of the region’s most challenging environments. AirBorneo, Malaysia’s first state-owned airline, is leveraging ATR aircraft to modernise the Rural Air Services (RAS) network, which remains essential for linking remote communities across Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan.
The airline has placed firm orders for eight ATR aircraft — five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s — with purchase rights for an additional four aircraft. The mixed fleet allows AirBorneo to right- size capacity according to route demand, from lower-density destinations served by the ATR 42-600 to busier regional routes operated by the ATR 72-600.
Equipped with advanced avionics, modern navigation systems, and enhanced cabin comfort, the aircraft can support multiple operational scenarios, including medical stretcher transport, highlighting ATR’s versatility in both commercial and public-service roles.
SUSTAINABILITY AND FUTURE GROWTH
The ATR EVO concept combines hybrid propulsion and eco-designed cabins to reduce emissions and enhance efficiency.
ATR’s vision extends beyond passenger transport, charting a path towards more sustainable aviation. In 2022, the company became the first manufacturer to successfully complete a test flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in both engines of a commercial aircraft.
The company is now looking towards the future with its EVO concept, combining an ultra-efficient thermal engine with a battery-powered electric motor capable of operating fully on SAF. The platform is designed to reduce CO₂ emissions while advancing environmentally responsible aviation.
The company showcased its latest innovations at the recent Singapore AirShow.
Complementing its engineering innovations is ATR’s MobilityMonitor, a data-driven platform developed in collaboration with Georgia Tech. By analysing millions of inter-city journeys across air, road, and rail, the system enables airlines to identify profitable new routes. The data is used to optimise regional connectivity, and plan strategic growth — even in regions with no current air service.
Beyond passenger operations, ATR is also exploring freighter configurations, further demonstrating the turboprop’s flexibility and adaptability. This versatility ensures ATR can continue meeting evolving market demands — whether for passengers, cargo, or hybrid applications that combine efficiency, luxury, and sustainability.
The HighLine cabin brings luxury and sophistication to short-haul turboprop journeys.
In Southeast Asia, and particularly Malaysia, ATR turboprops are redefining how people, businesses, and communities connect. From luxury resort travel with Berjaya Air to essential public-service operations with AirBorneo, ATR’s next-generation aircraft are setting the standard for 21st-century regional aviation.
“ATR is redefining what regional aviation can achieve,” adds Martinello. “Our aircraft combine operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and sustainability, enabling airlines to connect communities while delivering a premium experience.”
(Photos: ATR)
