ATR 72-600

Welcoming a new aircraft to LINKS this year.

At the Dubai Airshow 2023, we announced an order for 15 brand new ATR 72-600 series aircraft with an otpion to firm up on an additional 5.

This is the latest version of the worlds most popular regional aircraft and it brings enchancemants to an already industry leading aircraft, futureproofing its position as the turboprop of choice.

Over the next 12 months starting in May 2024, our intial order of 15 aircraft will begin to arrive. In the interim, the LINKS fleet will expand with both the older -500 variant and these new -600 series aircraft flying alongside.

To enable this, our Pilots will be undergoing 2 weeks of differences training between now and early 2025 which involves both classroom training and line training (physical training flights on the new aircraft). This is because the -600 series features a hugely modernised glass cockpit! Whilst in esence the aircraft looks and operates the same, there are changes to procedures, instruments and workflow in the flight deck.

Towards the end of 2024, we will start to phase out the older -500 series aircraft in order of age (cycles) and heavy maintainance scheules as well as the planned end of lease contracts. By late 2025, the LINKS fleet will consist soley of the new -600 variant.

New cockpit design

A new state of the art full glass cockpit from Thales replaces older generation instrumentation in this latest variant of the ATR 72 family. New proven technloogy enchances flight management and assists pilot workload and workflow.

Updated engine

Inovation is the driving force behind the new PW127XT Engine from Pratt and Whitney. Improved durability and fuel effiency delivers 3% less fuel burn. Currently the engine is also certified to operate with 50% sustainable aviation fuel, with plans to achieve 100% in the near future!

Refreshed Cabin

Still offering the most spacious cabin in its class with new enchancements to improve the passenger experience. Itallian designed ‘Armonia’ cabin with 18” wide leather seats. Improved PSU, airflow system, wider luggage bins and crisp LED lighting await.

The technical stuff

NUMBER on order: 15 (5 further options)

CREW: 2 PILOTS & 2 CABIN CREW

CAPACITY: 72Y

ENGINES: 2 X PRATT & WHITNEY PW127xt

RANGE: 825 NAUTICAL MILES

CRUISING SPEED: 320 MPH

MAX SERVICE CEILING: 25,000 FT

Introduction timeline

  • 29APR First aircraft delivered from Tolouse and differences classroom training begins for Pilots

  • 06MAY Non revenue training flights

  • 10MAY First aircraft enters the program between STN-WIC and on Highland Hopper routes

  • 13MAY onwards - differnces line training continues on commercial sectors

  • 27MAY onwards - remaining deliveries will continue at a rate of roughly 1 per month