January 1997

ATR 72-500 is certified by the French airworthiness authorities (DGAC France).

May 1997

ATR has a breakthrough in China with China Xinjiang Airlines and the Chinese CAAC authority placing five firm orders and five options ATR 72s.

July 31, 1997

The first ATR 72-500 is delivered to American Eagle (US).

August 1997

First delivery of an ATR 72 to China Xinjiang Airlines from a firm order of five ATR 72-500s.

September 5, 1997

American Eagle takes delivery of the 500th ATR.

This milestone makes ATR the first European program in its market segment to reach the 500-delivery mark in only 12 years.

October 21, 1997

Eurowings (Germany) takes first delivery of five ATR 42-500s ordered by the German airline. With this order Eurowings becomes the largest ATR operator in Europe with a fleet of 27 ATRs.