GUMI, South Korea - ATR aims to have an in-country fleet of 25-30 ATR 72-600 regional turboprops operating in the South Korean market within the next seven years. ATR provided its forecast during a media briefing on the first day of the inaugural Gyeongbuk Aerospace, Defence and Logistics Exhibition (GADLEX) being held in Gumi city in the eastern province of Gyeongsangbuk-do.

"Korea has many under-utilized domestic airports, and scheduled domestic flights are mainly north-south," said Jean-Pierre Clercin, ATR’s Head of Commercial for Asia Pacific. "ATR sees opportunity to develop east-west routes, linking communities living along the east coast to places in Korea’s western part." He added that a 78-seat ATR 72 can take-off and land from a 1,200 meter (3,937 ft) runway in dry and wet conditions while following local Korean rules, such as the requirements being developed for flights to and from Ulleungdo Island.

ATR claims that a regional turboprop burns 45% less fuel and emits 45% less CO2 than a regional jet of a comparable capacity on short routes. Turboprops also offer an external noise footprint three times lower than regional jets.

"Fuel accounts for 40% of an airline’s total cost base, so reducing fuel burn has a hugely positive impact on the airline’s profitability," Clercin said.

Besides opening new regional routes in South Korea, ATR believes its aircraft can open new short-haul passenger and air cargo routes linking Korea to Northeast China and Southern Japan.