Older ATR airplanes must now meet new safety limits

The US aviation regulator is updating safety rules for certain older ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional airplanes. This means these planes must incorporate new or stricter maintenance and inspection requirements into their existing programs.

Aviation safety rules are rarely loosened. When they are tightened, it means a specific risk has been identified that regulators believe needs to be addressed immediately. This change forces operators of these older turboprop planes to spend more on maintenance and inspections, which could affect their operating costs.