ATR 72 or Dash 8: Choosing a Turboprop for an ACMI Lease
If you need a regional turboprop on ACMI, the offers will almost always be an ATR 72 or a Dash 8 Q400. Both carry around 70 passengers, both have two turboprop engines, and both are widely available. But they were built for different jobs, and picking the wrong one costs money every block hour.
This comparison focuses on the ATR 72-600 and the Dash 8 Q400, the versions most often offered today. Older ATR 72-500s and Dash 8-100/200/300s follow the same broad pattern.
Speed and range
The biggest difference is speed. The Q400 cruises at around 360 knots, the ATR 72-600 at around 270 knots. On a one hour sector the gap is small. On a two hour sector, the Q400 saves a lot of time, which can mean an extra rotation per day and a lower cost per trip.
The Q400 also flies much further on a full load: roughly 1,500 nautical miles against around 800 nautical miles for the ATR 72-600 in typical figures. If your network includes long thin routes, the ATR may simply not reach.
Seats
ATR 72-600: typically 68 to 72 seats, up to about 78 in high density layouts.
Dash 8 Q400: typically 70 to 78 seats, up to about 90 in high density layouts.
Check the exact layout offered, not the type's maximum.
Fuel burn and cost
On short sectors, the ATR burns noticeably less fuel per trip, which is why it dominates short, cost sensitive regional networks. The Q400 burns more per hour but covers more distance in that hour. Roughly:
Short sectors under about 300 nautical miles: the ATR usually wins on cost.
Longer sectors, or networks where speed adds rotations: the Q400 often wins.
In an ACMI lease you pay the fuel, so this difference lands directly on your costs.
Runways and airfields
Both types handle short runways well. The ATR is often preferred on very short, hot or basic airfields. Older Dash 8 models (the -100, -200 and -300) are known for rough and unpaved strip operations, which the Q400 is less suited to. If your airfields are gravel or grass, say so on day one; the answer may be an older Dash 8 rather than either of the two above. Our guide to Dash 8 ACMI leases in Africa covers the older models.
Cargo versions
Both types have freighter conversions:
ATR 72 freighters are widely used by express and feeder networks, with a large cargo door and several tonnes of payload.
Q400 freighter and combi conversions exist but are less common.
If you may need cargo capacity as well as passengers, ATR freighter supply is broader.
Support and crews
Availability of crews, engineers and spare parts in your region often matters more than the aircraft specification. Ask the operator:
Where spare parts and engines come from, and how fast
How many type rated crews it has, and whether they can be based with you
Where heavy maintenance is done, and how long the aircraft is away
A quick way to decide
Mostly sectors under an hour, cost driven, short runways? ATR 72.
Sectors of 90 minutes or more, or you need an extra daily rotation? Dash 8 Q400.
Gravel or grass strips? Older Dash 8 models.
Occasional long positioning flights? Check the ATR's range carefully.
Getting a quote
Tell us your base, your airfields and your weekly schedule, and we will come back with suitable ATR and Dash 8 options from operators. Email info@jetvice.net or see our aircraft leasing page.
Comments