This alternation is Furthermore in the continuity

After three years of ATR, Stéphane Mayer will have to give way in the all days in a new Italian Executive President, chosen by Alenia Finmeccanica subsidiary, which holds 50 of the aircraft manufacturer, to the side of EADS.

The former President and CEO of EADS Socata does not have as much démérité. This change in pilot follows from the rule established in the creation of the GIE ATR in 2001, which provides alternate every three years a leader of EADS and another from Finmeccanica. This alternation is, Furthermore, in the continuity. According to our information, the favourite candidate for his succession would be other than his predecessor in the Presidency of ATR and current Assistant General Manager of Finmeccanica, Filippo Bagnato. And in all likelihood, it should not disrupt the conducted strategy for years, which enabled ATR to become the number one global market for regional aircraft propeller turbopropulsées.

"Between 2006 and 2009, ATR has doubled its turnover, to EUR 1.4 billion, and reinforced its position as number one, with 56 of the turboprop market," said Stéphane Mayer. We went from 24 deliveries per year to 50 in 2009, which is also the objective for 2010. And, while remaining profitable every year, despite fluctuations in the dollar and the crisis.

Given for death in the early 2000, when airlines swore more than by Bombardier and Embraer regional jets, propeller ATR aircraft made a spectacular return to grace from 2005, with the escalation of the price of fuel. A buzz that the crisis has, apparently, eradicated step.

"We have gone through this crisis now not only the level of deliveries, but also that of orders." "We in recorded 40 last year", welcomes Stéphane Mayer.

If the company avoid the launch of a savings plan, last year, the workforce grew 30 since 2006, 890 employees. "We have much invested in the future, with more than 200 hirings in three years and the launch of the ATR-600 avionics with the most modern that is and a new cabin", said Stéphane Mayer.

A 90-seat project

However, it is probably his successor that he will return to lead the most anticipated project: the launch of a new model 90-seat ATR, against 72 places for the current model. A still very confidential project, which raises many questions still unanswered, but depends on the future of the ATR.

"It is true that we reflect the evolution of the range and the means to offer our clients an aircraft more efficient in terms of cost at Headquarters and more ecological, recognizes Stéphane Mayer, little disert on this subject." "In view of the growth of traffic and congestion in some airports, it appears intended to consider a larger plane", he added.

The objective would be to offer to the horizon of 2015, a new device from 15 to 20 less greedy in that fuel the current turboprops. Discussions are already well advanced with the engine Pratt & Whitney and GE.

However, the more hard might be to convince the two current shareholders. Because in all likelihood, such a project would involve the Franco-Italian end of the status quo and the arrival of new industrial and financial partners. The Brazilian Embraer is discussed, which would more be confined to only regional jets. Will EADS and Finmeccanica agree to make it a place Nothing is less sure. In 2007, EADS had thus rejected the project of Finmeccanica to associate ATR to the development of its partner Sukhoï Superjet 100. At the time, the parent company of Airbus had feared to foot Stirrup to a future competitor of the A320. No doubt that its priorities have not changed since.