In the United States, regional air services play a critical role in linking rural and remote communities to the wider world, ensuring access to economic opportunities, education, healthcare, and social connections. While major cities benefit from extensive transport infrastructure, smaller towns and regions with low populations face significant challenges due to their geographical isolation. Regional aviation helps to overcome these barriers, allowing access to essential services that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach.
Regional aviation holds immense importance in a country as large as the United States. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) recognises more than 3,200 public airports across the nation, with over 500 classified as regional airports. These smaller airports are crucial for communities where overland travel is impractical or lengthy due to natural barriers like mountains or water. Even a short runway can make a difference, enabling access to urban healthcare, emergency supplies, disaster relief, tourism, and education, which might otherwise be inaccessible or delayed.
Studies show that the economic benefits of regional aviation are substantial. Around 570 airports serve less populated areas, generating $134 billion annually in economic activity. Moreover, regional airports create over a million jobs, contributing $36 billion in wages. They also provide an environmentally sustainable alternative to extensive road or rail networks, which would be costly and intrusive on the landscape.
However, regional air connectivity in the U.S. has been declining, a trend that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. While flights between major hubs increased, smaller communities experienced a significant drop in air services. Over a 20-year period, the number of scheduled flights from smaller airports decreased by more than 1.6 million, leaving many communities underserved. Several factors, including a shortage of pilots, an ageing fleet of small jets, and airline consolidation, have contributed to this reduction. Contractual constraints have also limited the introduction of new, more efficient regional jets.
As fewer flights serve smaller airports, air travel becomes less appealing, with passengers often having to transit through multiple airports. This extended travel time discourages air travel in favour of other transport methods, such as private vehicles.
A potential solution lies in adopting modern turboprop aircraft. These aircraft, such as those manufactured by ATR, burn significantly less fuel and produce fewer emissions compared to older regional jets. They also enable direct flights between smaller cities, reducing travel time and costs. For example, a turboprop flight could significantly shorten the journey between Richmond, Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, compared to overland travel or connecting flights via major hubs.
Switching from regional jets to turboprops on routes of up to 500 nautical miles could reduce CO2 emissions by 28%, the equivalent of removing a million cars from the road. Modern turboprops also offer comfortable cabins, dispelling the outdated perception that they are inferior to jets.
In order to address the ongoing challenges of regional air connectivity in the U.S., embracing modern turboprop aircraft and supportive policies is essential. Regional aviation is not merely a convenience; it is a lifeline that ensures rural and remote communities have access to vital services and opportunities, helping maintain the country’s cohesion and prosperity. By prioritising regional air transport, the U.S. can better connect its diverse regions and reduce the pressure on urban infrastructure.
Avation PLC (LON:AVAP) is a commercial passenger aircraft leasing company owning a fleet of aircraft which it leases to airlines across the world. Avation’s future focus are new technology low CO2 emission aircraft.
