Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42-600 with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M
Twin turboprop high wing monoplane airliner with t-tail and 4 abreast seating

Intercity chose the ATR 42-600 to replace its venerable Jetstream 41. ATR are the only Western manufacturer of 50 and 70 seat airliners, a testament to the low lifetime costs of the aircraft. ATR 42 provides a 60% increase in seating (from 29 to 46 seats) with only around 15% increase in fuel cost.

The ATR 42 was originally developed between 1981 and 1985 by a Franco-Italian consortium of Aérospatiale (now Airbus) and Aeritalia (now Leonardo), as a 50 seat class turboprop with EFIS flight deck and efficient economics. It was a sales smash so between 1986 and 1989 the stretched ATR 72 was developed for the 70 seat class and this larger version now constitutes two thirds of ATR sales.

The original -200 and -300 series ATRs were upgraded for 1995 with new 6 scimitar bladed propellers to reduce noise along with more powerful Pratt and Whitney PW127 engines to improve performance in hot and high conditions, marketed as the -500 series. A further upgrade came in 2012 with the -600 series ATR providing a full glass cockpit by Thales, and this is the variant operated by Intercity.

There are proposals for an “evo” hybrid-electric ATR but as of 2023 ATR was certifying the 42-600S variant, with modified flaps, brakes and rudder permitting STOL operation on shorter runways. The aircraft could already be considered somewhat rugged, with its high engine and wing helping it gain approval to operate from gravel runways in Russia. All ATRs have a propeller brake allowing the engine to operate in hotel mode to provide electrical power at stand without the hazard of rotating propeller blades or the extra weight of an auxiliary power unit engine in the tail.