ATR has appointed Damien Proust as Senior Vice-President Engineering and Head of Design Organisation, effective May 1, 2026. The move brings extensive Airbus experience to the regional turboprop manufacturer, replacing the prior engineering leader.
Proust joins from Airbus, where he served as Vice President and Head of Propulsion Airframe since 2018. His expertise in airframe-propulsion integration bolsters ATR’s engineering capabilities amid rising demand for efficient turboprops.
The Toulouse-based company announced the appointment on April 15. Proust’s role oversees ATR’s Design Organisation, critical for certification, modifications, and next-generation aircraft development.
This leadership change strengthens ATR’s technical edge in a market favoring fuel-efficient regional jets. Operational impacts include accelerated innovation in the ATR 42/72 family, supporting airline fleet modernization.