ATR is confident of its sales prospects this year despite the wider problems in the global economy.

John Moore, the airframer's head of sales, said its outlook is "relatively stable" for the year ahead.

"We won't match 2011, but with production ramping up we'll have to sell more to keep the backlog stable.

"The opportunities are there, however."

ATR's prospects are aided by having new aircraft to offer its customers. The ATR 72-600 made its debut with Royal Air Maroc last year and will be followed by the first delivery of the smaller ATR 42-600 in August 2012.

Its bias towards the fast-growing economies of South America and Asia also helps, said Moore.

Meanwhile, production of the ATR 42-500 and 72-500 will come to an end this year. ATR has 12 of the types remaining on its order books - 11 72-500s and a solitary 42-500.

It will also deliver its 1,000th aircraft, to an as-yet undisclosed airline, in May.

Last year saw a total of 54 deliveries: six 42-500s, 38 72-500s and 10 72-600s.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news