After several weeks of hinting about something major, Franco-Italian regional aircraft manufacturer ATR has finally dropped the news. Today, ATR made the delivery of the first-ever ATR 72-600 equipped with the never-seen-before Pratt & Whitney Canada 127XT engine series to the launch airline customer, Air Corsica.The regional flag carrier became the launch customer following a firm order for five new ATR 72-600s, which was agreed upon a year ago at the Dubai Airshow. The firm order came as Air Corsica was looking to upgrade its fleet and advance its efforts in sustainability. Currently, its fleet consists of one ATR 42-500, five 72-500s, four Airbus A320-200s, and two A320neos.

An updated propulsion standard

But before diving into the delivery flight and other details of the regional aircraft, let's discuss the most crucial element - the new engines. When it was first introduced in the fall of 2007, the ATR 72-600 was powered using Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, the latest innovation at that time from the PW100 series that helped deliver approximately 40% greater fuel efficiency.

However, ATR wanted to raise the propulsion standard and further elevate the sustainability of the popular regional aircraft. That was how the Pratt & Whitney Canada 127XT engine series came about. The new engine series boasts the latest materials and technologies available in current markets that improve sustainability and operating economics in regional aviation.

By using the PW127XT series, the ATR 72-600 benefits from 40% extended wing time, which was how the term 'extra time' or XT came into the name. Additionally, the new series brings the engine overhaul to 20,000 hours, resulting in fewer events over the aircraft's lifecycle, allowing an approximate 20% reduction in engine maintenance costs.

The PW127XT will also offer a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency from technology injection compared to the PW127M, which means that the new ATR 72-600s provide an approximate 45% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to similar-sized regional aircraft. The new engine series is also compatible with the usage of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

Want to know more about sustainability in aviation?

A new member of the fleet

Now that the new engines are covered, let's discuss the latest fleet addition. Registered as F-HXKA and christened as 'A Paglia Orba,' the new aircraft flew from Toulouse Blagnac Airport to Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport. For Air Corsica, the addition of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft will aid significantly in short-haul flights, as confirmed by the President of Air Corsica's Supervisory Board, Marie-Hélène Casanova-Servas:

"ATRs are central to our model of air travel in Corsica. They have proven to be the right product for our short-haul operations. Selecting both the latest generation turboprop, the newest engine on the market to equip it, and the best maintenance programme to optimise its reliability, makes perfect business sense, and moreover, is the most responsible choice.”

And although the new engines are undeniably the most remarkable feature of F-HXKA, the turboprop has a little more to offer. Another notable feature is that Air Corsica's passengers will not only benefit from high cabin comfort, but they can also indulge in using USB ports for charging electronic devices during the flight, a first for an ATR cabin.

A perfect match between the two parties

Since the PW127XT engine series results in fewer events over the lifecycle of F-HXKA and the remaining four ATR 72-600s due to Air Corsica, the airline has opted to optimize the maintenance of its entire ATR fleet through a 12-year Global Maintenance Agreement. As a pay-by-the-hour contract, it covers the repair and overhaul of the airline's ATR fleet.

The contract also includes pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, such as the propellers, landing gears, and leading edges availability and maintenance, plus a long-term price agreement for over 2,000 spare parts. In other words, the airline's fleet will be well taken care of, as confirmed by Chief Executive Officer of ATR, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude:

“Air Corsica and ATR have grown together ever since their first ATR flight in 1990. Over decades they have shown commitment to flying the latest technology and most responsible aircraft available. As our product evolves to meet new market needs and incorporates further innovations, it remains the most reliable, efficient, cost-effective aircraft on the market, as well as the most sustainable platform to operate regional routes. This makes ATR and Air Corsica a perfect match.

What do you think of the PW127XT engines? Let us know in the comments below.

• 

  ATR

  Business Type:

  Planemaker

  Date Founded:

  1981-00-00

  CEO:

  Stefano Bortoli

  Headquarters Location:

  Toulouse, France

• 

  Pratt & Whitney

  Date Founded:

  1925-01-01

  CEO:

  Christopher Calio

  Headquarters Location:

  East Hartford, United States

  Business Type:

  Engine Maker