The Jetstream and the Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP) were British Aerospace (BAe) regional turboprop products which consisted of a stretched and re-engined development of the Avro / HS748 aircraft.
The ATP, which was announced in March 1984, featured an Avro (Hawker Siddeley) 748 fuselage stretched to provide a seating capacity of 64 passengers. Low levels of internal and external noise were key features of the design. Power was provided by two 2,653 shp Pratt & Whitney PW126A turboprops, driving six-blade composite propellers. The prototype (G-MATP) made its first flight from Woodford on 6th August 1986, with pilot J. A. 'Robbie' Robinson at the controls, and the type entered service with British Midland in 1988.
The ATP was initially manufactured at British Aerospace factory sites at Chadderton and Woodford until October 1992, when production was transferred to BAe Regional Aircraft at the former Scottish Aviation factory at Prestwick, and the aircraft was re-launched as the Jetstream 61.
The Jetstream 61 offered increased power provided by two 2,750 shp Pratt & Whitney PW127D engines, replacing the PW126As of the ATP. Passenger capacity was increased from 64 to 70 seats. The original ATP prototype was re-registered (G-JLXI) and modified to become the prototype BAe Jetstream 61. G-JLXI first flew in this guise at Prestwick on 10th May 1994.
Production of the BAe ATP / Jetstream 61 was phased out after 67 aircraft had been manufactured and only four were built as BAe Jetstream 61s. The four J61s were subsequently scrapped rather than entering service.
The BAe ATP continued in limited service with the main user being Swedish-based West Air Europe (also trading as West Atlantic), who operated a fleet of 15 ATP on all-cargo operations until February 2023. The development of the cargo version was undertaken by West Air, with an initial six conversions being made from 2001. These aircraft used a modified HS748 freight door and could carry 30% more cargo than their predecessor with only marginally increased operating costs. The first cargo conversion made its first flight on 10 July 2002.