ATR is an acronymun used by Italian-French based aircraft manufacturer Avions de Transport Regional. ATR was formed in 1981, from the consortium formed by the FADS and Alenia Aeronautica companies.
According to the company's website, they are the world leader in propeller aviation. Because of the fact the company is dedicated mainly to building only prop liners, ATR planes don't form part of many major airline fleets. They are to be more typically found on such airlines as Air Caraibes, Binter Canarias and TransAsia. LOT Polish Airlines is one of the majors that do fly ATR planes.
In 2003, ATR announced it will try to get into the jet airplane industry, perhaps trying to rival Airbus' success in that area.
