ATR-72 / Continental ExpressContinental 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