defense

Budget constraints, challenging routes, short runways... The only solution: turboprop

With challenging terrains such as Indonesia, India, Japan, China, South America, Africa, etc., budget-friendly, short-runway experts, and saving them both time and money, ‘They can’t give up turboprop regional commercial aircraft.’

Let’s imagine we are in Indonesia, a country consisting of approximately 17,000 islands, 6,000 of which are permanently inhabited, with many others seeing seasonal populations. With its complex geography, rapidly growing and densely urbanising population, low purchasing power, and limited land transportation infrastructure,

let us imagine that we are living in Indonesia, where development efforts are hindered by significant logistical challenges. Under these conditions, short- and medium-range air transport between islands and within islands is the most critical form of transportation for the country's integration and economic growth, as it is both accessible and economical. It also supports sea and road transport.

Without low-cost air connections, inter-island trade and human mobility in Indonesia would suffer serious disruption.

In this case, aren't turboprop aircraft, which can easily land and take off from short runways and are 45% more fuel and operationally efficient than other regional commercial aircraft such as turbofan jets, indispensable?

Or consider the following image: aren’t the approximately 50–60 passengers in this image boarding an ATR72 as if they were boarding an intercity bus? Isn’t this ATR72 (or ATR42) waiting on a small apron? Doesn’t the runway it will take off from shortly seem very short to you? Isn’t the location of this runway in a mountainous, remote, rural area with difficult access? Would it be faster, safer, more comfortable, and more economical to travel here by road from, say, 200 miles away, or by air?

Image: ATR Regional Transport Aircraft.

High-tech, fast, long-range, comfortable narrow-body, wide-body and very wide-body jet airliners may adorn the aviation showcase and account for the lion's share of global air transport, but there is a silent cry for change rising around the world: the need for small-bodied, low-cost, short-runway-friendly turboprop regional (regional/commuter) commercial aircraft; is taking centre stage in the future of air transport for many countries.

Regional air transport continues to gain importance as one of the cornerstones of the global air transport network, particularly in countries with challenging geography.

Turboprop aircraft can reach destinations that other modes of transport cannot, thanks to their exceptional performance on short runways and in challenging terrain.

One-third of turboprop traffic is deployed in remote areas where no other viable transportation option exists.

Even in Japan, a leading developed nation, 57% of routes served by turboprop aircraft have no viable alternative by train or road.

Turboprop aircraft are a lifeline for communities in challenging geographical areas. They are indispensable for connecting families, businesses, and friends quickly and affordably in many parts of the world. They promote economic growth and provide significant social value.

Over the next 20 years, global demand for turboprop regional passenger aircraft is expected to reach 2,000–2,500 aircraft. This represents a potential aircraft sales market of approximately $50–60 billion, with an additional market of approximately $100 billion for the maintenance and operation of these aircraft after sale.

In regional aviation, aging fleets and limited aircraft production have impacted the fleet in service, resulting in more aircraft being retired than the number available in the market. As a result, turboprop demand over the next 10 years will primarily focus on fleet renewal, while the following decade will be more growth-oriented. In addition, new route creation will be the main driving force behind the expansion of the turboprop fleet today and in the future.

Turboprop regional commercial aircraft offer approximately 45% cost savings compared to turbojet/turbofan regional commercial jet aircraft on a typical 200-mile route.

Why are turboprop regional commercial aircraft needed?

§ Low Fuel Consumption: Turboprop aircraft consume 30–45% less fuel than turbojet and turbofan aircraft on short-haul flights. This directly benefits both the environment and airline costs (see Source-1).

§ Short Runway Takeoff and Landing Advantage: Turboprops can take off and land on runways as short as 800–1,200 metres. This feature opens up air transport in rural areas and developing countries (see Source-2).

Ease of Route Opening and Increased Connectivity: According to ATR data, 2,770 new routes will be opened in the next 20 years. The majority of these new air routes will only be economically viable with turboprop aircraft (See Source-2).

In Which Regions Is Demand for These Aircraft Highest?

§ Asia–Pacific: Regional transportation is booming in countries such as Indonesia, India, and China, which are densely populated, geographically challenging, and underdeveloped and/or developing.

Turboprop regional commercial aircraft are the most preferred ideal aircraft type for connecting remote cities to main hubs (See Source-3). To put it bluntly, this is the only aircraft type that can operate short-haul flights, land and take off on short runways, and remain economical in this region.

In fact, turboprop-powered regional commercial aircraft are not a preference but a necessity under these conditions.

§ Africa and Latin America: Due to inadequate infrastructure and scattered population distribution, there is a high demand for low-cost short-haul solutions (see Source-4).

Rural Routes in North America and Europe: Turboprop aircraft remain indispensable on routes where jet aircraft with turbojet or turbofan engines are not economically viable (See Source-5).

Who are the market leaders?

§ ATR (ATR 42 / 72): Owns approximately 65-75% of the world's turboprop fleet. The ATR 72 model, which can be configured for up to 90 seats, stands out (see Source 6).

Bombardier Dash 8-Q Series: A strong player, particularly in markets such as Canada and the United States. It stands out for its high speed and low noise profile (See Source-7).

Next-Generation Electric/Hybrid Turboprop-Powered Aircraft: European Union-supported projects and initiatives are developing 19-30 seat regional aircraft with hybrid-electric turboprop engines, but no model capable of replacing the turboprop-powered aircraft has been developed yet. If engines capable of replacing turboprop engines prove themselves, they could enter the market as new players (see Source-8).

What Should the Aircraft with the Largest Share of This Market Be Like?

The following qualities stand out for success:

§ 30–70 seat range (large but flexible).

§ Short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability.

§ Noise and vibration reduction technologies.

§ Electric or hybrid engine option (decarbonisation).

§ Low purchase cost.

§ Low maintenance and operating costs.

§ Durability.

§ Maintainability.

§ User-friendly.

Is a New Player Needed in This Market?

Yes, a new player is needed in this market. However, this new player must be part of an aviation ecosystem in a country that can offer unmatched options in terms of design and manufacturing of main and sub-systems, as well as brainpower and labour costs, to provide the desired features of this aircraft in the most reasonable, economical, and effective manner.

In recent years, only one country has emerged as capable of meeting this criterion, and this role will almost inevitably be assigned to that country (For details, see Source-9).