Sustainability is reshaping the aviation industry, driving innovations that reduce environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and affordability. Airlines and manufacturers are under increasing pressure to meet stricter regulations and customers’ expectations for more sustainable solutions. This push has led to advancements in fuel-efficient technologies, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and carbon reduction initiatives, helping the industry align with global climate goals. At the heart of this transition are innovations like SAF integration and hybrid-electric technologies, which are key to significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
“ATR is committed to being a key player in making aviation more environmentally responsible, whilst maintaining the affordability and therefore inclusiveness of regional aviation,” Nicolas Granier, Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, stated.
“Our focus has always been on designing fuel-efficient turboprops that produce lower emissions. By offering aircraft that consume up to 45 percent less fuel than regional jets of similar size, we are helping to limit the carbon footprint of regional aviation.”
“The ATR 72-600F, our dedicated freighter, capable of carrying 75m cubed and nine tonnes of payload, plays an important role in reducing the environmental impact of cargo and e-commerce operations. Like its passenger variant, it delivers significant fuel efficiency, helping to cut CO2 emissions in regional freight services. Additionally, converting passenger aircraft to freighters offers a sustainable way to extend their life, supporting the rising demand for e-commerce and logistics.”
Versatile and low impact
Currently, ATR’s aircraft are recognised as the lowest-emission regional planes on the market. The newly adopted PW127XT engine not only reduces fuel consumption by 3 percent but also cuts maintenance costs by 20 percent compared to its predecessor. This means it only produces emissions at just 69 grammes of CO2 per seat per km over a 300 nautical mile route.
In the U.S., a potential shift from regional jets to turboprops on routes up to 500 nautical miles could lead to a significant 28 percent reduction in CO2 emissions—equating to 4.6 million tonnes annually, or the carbon footprint of one million gasoline-powered cars. This presents a substantial opportunity to lower emissions within the aviation sector, leveraging aircraft that are already certified for operation.
“We are continuously innovating to improve fuel efficiency. Our advancements include engine technology upgrades, aerodynamic refinements, and lightweight materials,” Granier pledged. “For instance, the new-generation propellers and high-efficiency Pratt & Whitney engines are designed to maximise performance while minimising fuel consumption. The PW127XT engine, which offers a three percent reduction in fuel burn and a 20 percent cut in maintenance costs, demonstrates our commitment to these advancements. In parallel, we also provide our customers with recommendations on how to optimally operate their aircraft and achieve further efficiency gains through careful flight planning, execution and performance monitoring. Recommendations tackle all phases, from flight planning to maintenance tasks, which provide an opportunity for fuel optimisation.
Sustainable commitment
The next step is to achieve the 100 percent SAF compatibility of ATR’s aircraft – a similar hope shared by other manufacturers. The technology is ready, and manufacturers are waiting for the international fuel standard validation.
At the beginning of the next decade, ATR aims to reduce emissions even further through mild hybridisation and enhanced propeller technologies with its ATR EVO concept.
The plan foresees a renewal of the propulsion system with a hybrid-electric capability, new propellers, improved cabin and systems, all of which will be eco-designed, aiming for a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current aircraft.
“SAF is essential to cutting aviation’s carbon emissions, and ATR is fully committed to supporting its use,” Granier stated. “Today, all ATR aircraft are certified to operate with up to 50 percent SAF, and we are expecting the 100 percent SAF compatibility during the second half of the decade. We’ve already flown with 100 percent SAF, including a successful flight in June 2022, where we became the first to fly a commercial aircraft using 100 percent SAF in both engines.
“As far as our operations are concerned, ATR is committed to increasingly using SAF. In 2023, we have used 10 percent of SAF on average for our internal flights and we target 16 percent in 2024,” Granier stated.
Connectivity at the core
Sustainability extends beyond emissions; it also encompasses connectivity. ATR’s aircraft are vital for linking remote communities, providing crucial access to healthcare, education, and employment. Notably, one-third of the world’s 3,900 commercial airports are exclusively served by turboprop aircraft, underscoring their role in ensuring that even the smallest communities are part of a connected world.
ATR believes turboprops will play an increasingly important role in the future of regional aviation, simply because on short distances, these aircraft prove to be the most efficient, offering significant fuel efficiency advantages. On these shorter distances, these aircraft consume up to 45 percent less fuel than similar-sized regional jets.
By using smaller airports and shorter runways, these aircraft also help reduce the infrastructure footprint and deliver lower noise levels, well below ICAO standards, contributing to a quieter and more sustainable regional aviation experience.
“For the same level of thrust, a turboprop needs less engine core power compared to a jet engine thanks to the use of a propeller which has a bigger diameter versus a fan of a classical jet engine,” Granier explained. “The overall propulsive efficiency is higher, hence reducing fuel consumption. In addition to reduced fuel consumption, our turboprops operate at lower altitudes, where the formation of contrails is extremely rare, further reducing environmental impact.”
