ATR relaunches with a new 78 seats configuration of ATR 72-600

Source: Aeropolis 

EASA certifies the new configuration of the ATR 72-600 with 78 seats, the entry of the aircraft into commercial activities is scheduled for August 2016.

ATR answers the new version of the competitor Bombardier Q-400 and certifies the cabin layout of 72-600 high density. The French-Italian company has received EASA certification for the new 78 seats configuration, obtained by optimizing the use of space and the cabin interiors of existing aircraft. The option is available for new aircrafts as for retrofits of existing ones.
The first aircraft with 78 seats layout will be delivered to Cebu Pacific in August 2016. The Philippine airline was the first to select the new configuration, acquiring sixteen ATR 72-600 with 78 seats, the contract was announced at the Paris Air Show at the beginning of 2015.
In fact, "the ATR demand with new configuration comes from regional airlines, especially in the Southeast Asian market," says Thierry Casale, ATR Senior Vice President. "With the lowest cost per seat, ATR offers in the regional market an aircraft with an unprecedented operating economy, the 78-seat ATR 72-600 turboprop is a perfect combination of comfort and efficiency."
A new turboprop has long been requested by airlines operating in regions where traffic is growing rapidly and the demand is very price sensitive. Bombardier, Canadian competitor of ATR, responded with a version of the Q-400 with 78 seats and upgraded interiors. The French-Italian manufacturer relaunches with a similar proposal, the real game is postponed until the manufacturers deem to launch a new aircraft that costs less, uses all the innovations matured in the aviation industry to reduce emissions and operating costs.