Regional connectivity has never been so important. The aviation industry nosedived when COVID hit, leaving many airlines struggling to survive. Naturally, flights were cut and planes grounded. Thankfully, the pandemic is now just a memory and today more people are flying than ever before, marking a growth that overcomes any before COVID.
As it may be expected, as positive as it is, this is placing extensive pressure on airlines, who find themselves are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels. At the same time, airports are struggling to find slots for all the additional flights needed.
The solution is regional aviation: smaller local airports can indeed help alleviate the pressure on the airports and airlines, while helping the industry to offer more services, and continue its growth. In fact, regional aviation is helping local communities grow and feel more connected.
The Main Issue Preventing Growth
Which are the obstacles the industry growth is meeting when it comes to regional aviation? First of all, many regional airports have short runways, limited taxi room, and not enough space for multiple jets. Unfortunately, in most cases, it’s not easy to extend the size of the airport or the runways, due to geographic limitations or lack of funds. This results in the impossibility of using large jets in these airports, demanding thus an alternative solution.
That’s where turboprops, such as the ATR 72-600, come into the game. These aircrafts can take off and land on much smaller runways, enabling them to fly routes that would not be possible with traditional jet planes. Of course, these type of aircraft are smaller, so they can carry fewer people than jets, but on the other hand, that makes it easier for airlines to assess the viability of different regional flight routes.
As an added bonus, they use less fuel and produce fewer emissions on short haul flights than a similar size jet would for the same route. That’s helping airlines keep costs low and meet government targets.
How Regional Aviation Is Driving Growth
Adding regional flights allows an airline to extend their flight options. This increases the income potential as people use these flights, leading to a boost in the size of the airline, creating greater brand awareness, encouraging people to use the airline in the future.
Also, the larger availability of short-distance flight means people are able to commute between regional destinations in a much easier way, allowing people to look for jobs also outside of their town. This is opening the recruitment pool for businesses across the country, allowing them to attract top talent, even when it’s not local.
Of course, opening up more routes can also boost tourism to smaller towns, places that may usually be too far off the beaten track for anyone but the hardiest travellers. Tourism is great for all local businesses, boosting local incomes and helping towns to grow. This means a better quality of life for locals, helping to reduce the issue of poverty across the country.
As airlines increase the number of short-haul flights between regional airports, smaller towns and cities will find it easier to access and share resources. This reduces costs for everyone while allowing a variety of industries to grow.
In short, regional aviation can boost the earnings potential of businesses across the country. Simultaneously, it creates opportunities for people, helping them improve their personal situation.
