Stuck In The Middle

Over shorter distances turboprops offer unbeatable operating economics. But the category remains stuck in its 50-70 seat niche.

Turboprop aircraft dominate regional aviation in Australia and much of the world, yet innovations are relatively few, and passenger experience relatively standardised.

What flyers see on an ATR 72 or Bombardier Q400 flying from New Zealand, New South Wales, New Brunswick, New Chitose or New Mexico is much the same. There are pressures on this market, too, from above with a new generation of regional jets and from below with the ageing of 50-seater and smaller aircraft, for which replacement options are few.