ATR will stop producing its 72-500 turboprop in 2012 after the remaining aircraft on order are delivered.
It will then concentrate on the 72-600, which has been selling "very well since its introduction", said ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato. "Unless anyone specifically wants the 72-500, we will not produce it anymore," he added.
He said that 2011 was a "record year" for ATR, which secured 148 firm orders valued at $3.3 billion with options for another 72. This gave it 80% of the total sales in the 50-90 seat regional aircraft market, said Bagnato.
The company has a backlog of 267 aircraft valued at $5.9 billion, accounting for 71% of the total 50-90 seat regional aircraft backlog, he added.
In Dubai, ATR announced that Russia's NordStar Airlines has ordered three more 42-600s to be delivered in 2013. This follows an order in September for two 42-600s with options for two more turboprops. The airline also bought four 42-500s and options for three aircraft in 2010.