Rise Air has become the first airline in Canada to take delivery of the ATR72-600.
Rise Air, the Indigenous-owned airline providing essential services across Saskatchewan, has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for the latest generation ATR -600 series in Canada.
This aircraft is the first from a three-aircraft agreement signed in November 2024, with two additional brand-new ATR 72-600s to join the fleet under lease in 2026.
The arrival of the ATR 72-600 after Transport Canada certified the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 on 27 November 2025, enabling Canadian operators to fly ATR -600 aircraft for the first time. This milestone paves the way for Canadian regional airlines to replace ageing turboprops with modern ATR aircraft featuring an advanced glass cockpit that optimises flight trajectories and reduces pilot workload, larger cabins and wider seats.
Rise Air’s aircraft is equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new PW127XT engines. The investment in the new fleet is the largest Rise Air has made in its history, whilst the arrival of the ATR aircraft will challenge ageing 30-50 seater aircraft in Canada, allowing airlines to invest and grow if they want to expand operations.
In Quotes
Derek Nice, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Air, said:
“Introducing the ATR 72-600 is about delivering modern, safe, and reliable air transportation to remote work sites and infrastructure projects that are vital to Saskatchewan’s economy. These operations support employment and GDP growth across the province, particularly in the north. With this aircraft, we can provide our customers with a higher level of comfort and efficiency while continuing to strengthen connectivity in some of Canada’s most challenging environments.”
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, commented:
“The ATR 72-600 combines exceptional fuel efficiency with lower operating and maintenance costs, making it the ideal aircraft to operate thin routes profitably and serve the most remote communities. We’re honoured to see Rise Air pioneer the introduction of the ATR –600 series in Canada, and bring sustainable, reliable, and profitable connectivity to Canada’s most demanding environments, where modern technology truly makes a difference.”
Growing ATR in Canada
Can ATR up its game in Canada? – Image, ATR
ATR has a presence in Canada, with over 60 aircraft operated by 10 airlines across the country. A major focus so far has been the ATR Freighter fleet, delivering goods ranging from groceries and medicines to fuel in harsh conditions.
ATR aircraft have been operating successfully for decades on short and unpaved runways, in extreme cold and icing conditions, and at latitudes close to the Arctic Circle, showing its versatlity
As ATR continues to seek to break into North America (and given that De Haviland of Canada isn’t constructing new Dash8-400’s at this time), it is seeking to maximise what it can do and attract carriers to use the newer generation aircraft to fly passengers.
We’ll have to see if other airlines warm up to introducing these aircraft in their fleets.
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