ATR-72 / Continental Express

Continental ATR-72 airplane model. The ATR-72 is a stretched development of the popular ATR-42 and was launched in January 1986.

The first of three ATR-72 development aircraft flew for the first time on October 27, 1988, followed by the awarding of French and then US certification in late 1989. Entry into service was on October 27, 1989, with Kar Air of Finland. Some other early operators are Foshing Airlines, NFD (later Eurowings), CSA, American Eagle, TAT, Air Littoral, LOT, and Olympic Aviation.