ATR has been considering a larger turboprop for decades..
mcdonnell douglas | airbus industrie | aerospatiale | 1988 | 2536 | Flight Archive (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%202536.html)

Now PW and GE seem to be developing suitable engines, will ATR finally bite the bullit?

http://www.acam.asso.fr/photos/chrono_trains/21-2011/21-05-ATR-NG-2011-01-27.jpg

It seems the Italians are more motivated then the French side (EADS)..

Alenia boss: 'We will invest' in 90-seat turboprop (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/alenia-boss-we-will-invest-in-90-seat-turboprop-356500/)

Question seems to be if the ATR72 can be stretched or if a new wing/fusealge (5 abreast) is required. It has a wider fuselage then the Q400, so more stretch potential.

ATR awaits shareholders' go-ahead for 90-seat turboprop project (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/atr-awaits-shareholders-go-ahead-for-90-seat-turboprop-project-380273/)

It seems we are going to see a new kid in town in the 90-130 seat market.

i really hope they consider going jet..:(

i really hope they consider going jet..

I hope not! We need (more) efficient turbo-props. Maybe RYR would consider buying them. They'll be cheap to buy and operate.

PM

Question seems to be if the ATR72 can be stretched or if a new wing/fusealge (5 abreast) is required. It has a wider fuselage then the Q400, so more stretch potential.

A 4-row stretch of the current fuselage seems eminently doable.

DaveReidUK, the latest article says

"The aircraft is not a modification; it's a completely new aircraft. The overall philosophy is the same but the wings, landing gear, fuselage, everything will be bigger," says Bagnato.

He expects that it could take up to five years for the new aircraft to receive certification, once shareholders give the approval.

That's big new IMO. A state of the art 5 abreast fuselage is a direct attack on Embraer and Bombardier. The first one will be a 5 abreast turboprop. The next familymember probably a stretch (120 seats) and the concept has enough space to handle e.g geared turbofans, CROR's in the future. A bigger wider fuselage, with a serious cargo bay has all kinds of future options.

IMO it could be seen as a reaction on Embraer and Bombardier putting the A318 and A319 out of business..