ATR Takes the Lead in Europe’s Push for Cleaner Regional Air Travel

ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of regional aircraft, is proud to announce its selection by the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking to lead two innovative initiatives that aim to shape the future of low-emission regional air travel.

Under the Clean Aviation programme’s Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft (UERA) thrust, ATR will take the lead on two ambitious development projects. These initiatives will focus on demonstrating the integration of hybrid-electric propulsion, next-generation propeller systems, and electrified aircraft technologies into a regional aircraft platform.

By 2030, ATR is set to achieve a global milestone: the first-ever flight of a hybrid-electric regional aircraft, using an ATR 72-600 as a flying test bed. This breakthrough will be driven by several projects—two of which will be led by ATR—supported by the European Union and delivered in partnership with major industry and research leaders, including Safran, Collins Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

ATR’s flagship project, HERACLES (Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft Concept for Low Emissions), will define a new standard in sustainable aviation. It will explore an ultra-efficient regional aircraft design incorporating hybrid-electric propulsion, high-performance batteries, and a thermal engine capable of operating on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). These cutting-edge technologies will be tested in flight through DEMETRA (Demonstrator of an Electrified Modern Efficient Transport Regional Aircraft), using the ATR 72-600 as a dedicated test platform.

These initiatives directly support Clean Aviation’s strategic objective of achieving up to a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in carbon emissions for the next generation of regional aircraft, with a targeted entry into service by 2035. They are closely aligned with the European Union’s climate goals—particularly the Fit for 55 package and the European Green Deal—and reinforce the aviation industry’s broader commitment to decarbonisation.