Where it fits well
- 275 kt cruise supports fast regional travel.
- 772 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 517 nm with 4 occupants.
- 7000 kg realistic payload proxy and 68 seats define the usable cabin mission.
Key figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 68 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 7000 kg |
| Advertised range | 772 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 517 nm |
| Cruise speed | 275 kt |
| Runway need | ~1224 m |
| Pressurised | Yes |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | €393k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €3590 |
The ownership trade-off
The ATR 72-500 combines 74-seat turboprop capability with about 1,697 NM reported range and about 275 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €608k per year ( €15203 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €752k per year ( €9396 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €895k per year ( €7461 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €1.11m per year ( €6171 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €713k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The ATR 72-500 combines 74-seat turboprop capability with about 1,697 NM reported range and about 275 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
- €393k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 1224 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
- Time-sensitive business travel where dispatch reliability justifies the cost.