DUBAI, (Reuters) – Franco Italian ATR plans to upgrade the turboprop engines in its aircraft family. This is as a result of increased competition for regional propeller airplanes.

Airbus’ jointly owned subsidiary Leonardo is celebrating its 40th aniversary in Dubai at the Dubai Airshow. It opened this Sunday, as the aerospace sector tries to get momentum for the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

Industry sources said ATR would announce a new variant of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 engines that power its 42-600 and 72-600 family of turboprop planes.

ATR controls the turboprop market, valued at around $80 billion in 20 years. Short trips are more economical for planes, especially at high oil prices.

ATR may be challenged by Brazil’s Embraer which plans to launch a larger and more powerful turboprop next year. In China, Germany and elsewhere are other projects in development.

Sources said that the upgraded PW127 engine could reduce cost by being in service longer and lower maintenance costs. It also offers incremental fuel savings and lower emissions.

ATR and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:), both declined to comment.

Stefano Bortoli, ATR’s Chief Executive, promised in September that he would soon announce product enhancements.

There will be competition…We have strategies to preserve our leadership. “We aren’t resting on our laurels,” said he to reporters in Toulouse where ATR is located.