ATR Sets Sights On Supporting Malaysia’s Green Aviation Goals
By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The French-Italian turboprop aircraft maker ATR is ready to help Malaysia and ASEAN operators meet their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals as it continues to lead the regional aviation sector in sustainable operations.
ATR senior vice-president and chief commercial officer Alexis Vidal said the aircraft manufacturer’s turboprop aircraft are significantly more efficient than regional jets, consuming 45 per cent less fuel and emitting proportionally less carbon dioxide (CO2) per trip.
“Our aircraft already delivers a 45 per cent CO2 reduction compared to similar-sized jets. This is a critical lever in reducing aviation emissions with today’s available technology,” Vidal told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.
In 2022, ATR became the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to complete a 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) flight on both engines of a commercial aircraft — a milestone Vidal described as “an industry first that is worth quoting.”
“ATR aircraft have been certified to operate on 50 per cent SAF, and the company is working with global suppliers such as ATOBA, a sustainable aviation fuel distributor, to accelerate SAF supply chains and adoption across markets in the coming years.
“We have signed an agreement with ATOBA. We are also certified by CDP and EcoVadis. So it is not just talk — we are putting our sustainability commitments on paper,” he said.
CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a global non-profit organisation that runs an international environmental disclosure system. It assesses companies on their transparency and performance in addressing climate change.
EcoVadis, meanwhile, is a widely recognised provider of sustainability ratings, evaluating companies across areas such as environmental impact, labour rights, ethics and sustainable procurement, he noted.
Vidal said ATR’s certifications reflect its long-term dedication to ESG priorities and align the company with growing expectations from governments, investors and travellers, including in Malaysia.
“This makes ATR well-aligned with operators such as FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, the low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd, as well as Berjaya Air, especially as regulators and passengers increasingly demand green credentials in aviation,” he said.
He added that ATR’s ongoing product development — from flight trajectory optimisation to lower fuel burn operations — is geared toward helping operators meet global ESG targets while keeping costs competitive.
“Our track record shows that we are not just reacting to sustainability trends, but are shaping them,” he said.
-- BERNAMA