Virginblue you are right about the Atr 72 operation into short runways.they do like having the atr42's for them. But there is no discussion on having a 42 or a 72 on different routes, Thats the beauty of the 72, the overheads are close to the same. All crew's are rated on both aircraft. When the demand on a route is high they can put a 72 on it or when its quiet just a 42. All RE routes are the same. Thats why you see the likes of DUB BLK having a 42 during the week and a 72 at the weekends. If the demand is there they can put a 72 on it. They have options for 4 more 72 500's with ATR. Reasons I am sure they have not taken them is good leases on 42's that they have had a long time and also the lack of demand on the PSO routes for bigger aircraft. Im not totally sure is it still but RE's biggest base is Galway with Dublin second with one less aircraft. ORK has only 2 and WAT IOM having one each.