Top ten freighters

ATP Freighter

Cargo Volume: 74cu m/2615cu ft

Dimensions: Wingspan 100ft 6in, overall length 85ft 4in, height 24ft 11in, cabin width 8ft 2in

Distance: 2160 nautical miles/4000km

Revenue Payload: 8.2 tonnes

The ATP was originally designed as a new generation fuel efficient turboprop aircraft when it first entered the passenger market in 1987.

Initially designed as an evolution of the Avro 748, the fuel crisis and increasing concerns about aircraft noise led business planners at British Aerospace to believe that there was a market gap for a short range, low noise, fuel efficient turboprop.

In 2001, BAE Systems first launched its passenger to freighter conversion programme offering both a bulk ‘E' class and Large Freight Door version of the ATP, which has a payload in excess of eight tonnes. The freighter model benefits from the long parallel fuselage section of the ATR, which subsquently offers a large cargo platform.

Since the freighter conversion programme was introduced, BAE has experienced increasing demand for the cargo version. The basic ‘E' class bulk freighter is divided into ten cargo bays separated by nine 9G vertical nets. Cargo is loaded through existing forward and rear left hand doors, but if the large freight door option is opted for, it can also accommodate a range of pallets, containers and large cargo items, or customised containers designed to fit the ATP cross sectors.

The ATP is claimed by BAE to offer unrivalled economics in its class, and aims to replace the first generation 4-6 tonne turboprop freighters.

Operators include: First Flight Couriers, West Air Sweden, Atlantic Airlines

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