ATR was selection by the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (Clean Aviation) to lead two groundbreaking initiatives set to redefine the future of low-emission regional aviation. As part of Clean Aviation’s Ultra-Efficient Regional Aircraft (UERA) thrust, ATR will spearhead two ambitious development projects aimed at demonstrating the integration of hybrid-electric propulsion, advanced propeller systems and electrified aircraft systems on a regional aircraft.
By 2030, ATR will achieve a world first: flying a hybrid-electric regional aircraft using an ATR 72-600 test bed. This breakthrough will be made possible through several projects, two of which will be led by ATR, with the support of the European Union, and in collaboration with international industry and research organisations, including Safran and RTX businesses Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
ATR’s flagship project, HERACLES, (Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft Concept for Low EmissionS), will define an ultra-efficient regional aircraft concept integrating hybrid-electric propulsion, high-performance batteries, and a thermal engine compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. These technologies will be flight-tested through DEMETRA (Demonstrator of an Electrified Modern Efficient Transport Regional Aircraft), using an ATR 72-600 flying test bed.
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer at ATR commented: “We are honoured to lead this transformative effort with the support of Clean Aviation. This is more than a technological demonstration, it’s a bold commitment to the future of regional aviation. By flying the world’s first hybrid-electric regional aircraft by 2030, we aim to further demonstrate that sustainability and connectivity can go hand in hand. These projects build on our unmatched legacy of fuel efficiency and position ATR at the forefront of the next generation of aviation.”
These initiatives support Clean Aviation’s strategic goal of achieving up to 30% improved fuel efficiency and significantly reduced carbon emissions for next-generation regional aircraft, targeting an entry into service by 2035. They align with the European Union’s climate ambitions, including the Fit for 55 package and the European Green Deal, and support the decarbonisation ambitions of the aviation industry.
AMAC Aerospace Group continues to experience strong business momentum, marked by new certifications, contract wins and rising demand across its maintenance, completion and aircraft modification activi...
Air Baltic Corporation AS , Latvia’s national airline and the leading carrier in the Baltic States, announced that airBaltic and its subsidiaries participating in the voluntary Ch...
BPE Air, the aviation company founded and wholly owned by entrepreneur Aldrew Crowe, reported approximately US$90 million in revenue in 2025, marking a major milestone in the growth of its integrated...
TARMAC Aerosave has set a new industry benchmark by becoming the first company in the world to secure Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) accreditation across all three scopes of aircraft disa...
