The Future is Regional – Why Aviation is an Essential Bridge Connecting Communities in the US
Across the United States, regional air services provide a vital bridge for many rural and remote communities that would otherwise be isolated from economic opportunities, major education and healthcare facilities, and social connections. While large metropolitan areas benefit from extensive road, rail, and air transportation networks, smaller towns and regions with low population density face challenges in accessing state-of-the-art facilities due to their geographic remoteness.
The importance of regional aviation cannot be overstated in a country as large as the United States. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) identifies over 3,200 public airports nationwide, with over 500 classified as regional airports, serving smaller communities. These regional airports provide a lifeline for areas where ground transportation options are limited, too imposing in terms of travel times, or impractical due to natural barriers such as mountains, deserts, or water. A few short runway lengths can open up access to specialised urban medical care, rapid disaster relief, vital supplies, new tourism dollars, and educational opportunities – services that would be unattainable or significantly delayed through overland travel alone.
The Dual Benefit of Regional Aviation
Recent studies1 examining the economic implications of regional aviation for smaller towns and cities reveal its tremendous significance within the United States. Across the nation, there are 570 airports servicing lesser-populated areas. The air connectivity provided to these communities generate $134 billion in economic activity annually. These regional airports directly create employment opportunities for 1 million individuals, contributing $36 billion in wages.
In addition, regional aviation offers a sustainable solution for connecting these communities, often at a lower environmental cost than building extensive highway networks or rail lines over challenging terrain. Compared to the resource-intensive construction of a 500km highway, developing two airports with a total of 2-3km of runway is more economical, has a lower environmental impact, and demands less land utilisation, while stimulating economic development and providing access to basic services.
[1] Source: “Valuable Service. Air Service to Small Communities Generates Significant Economic Activity” Regional Horizons Q1 2019, Regional Airline Association
Headwinds Facing Regional Aviation in the US
However, regional air connectivity in the U.S. has been steadily eroding, with a concerning acceleration of this trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. The share of domestic flights between major hubs increased by nearly 6% between 2000 and 2019, while the combined share of flights for airports serving small communities fell by over 7%. In that 20-year period, the number of scheduled departures from large hubs remained stable, while small communities saw a reduction of over 1.6 million flights.
A multitude of factors has contributed to this challenge, including a severe pilot shortage that has led to the grounding of over 500 regional aircraft and the withdrawal of air services from 324 communities2. The ageing fleet of small regional jets, with the youngest aircraft being 15 years old and not all compatible with modern navigation systems, further exacerbates the problem.
[2] “Newly released data shows air service crisis”, Regional Airline Association, 10th November 2022
Airline consolidation has also played a role, with major carriers concentrating their resources at major hubs, often at the expense of regional routes and services. Contractual limitations, known as scope clauses, have restricted the introduction of new more fuel-efficient regional jet models, further limiting options for airlines.
A consequence of the reduction in services from smaller airports is a decline in the attractiveness of air travel. Journeys between many second- and third-tier airports can only be made by transiting through a third airport, increasing the total travel time for the consumer. This erodes demand for air services in favour of other modes of transport, including private cars.
Next-Gen Turboprops: The Key to Reviving Regional Connectivity
One promising solution to revitalising regional air connectivity lies in the adoption of modern turboprop aircraft, such as those manufactured by ATR. These state-of-the-art planes offer several advantages over ageing regional jets. Burning 45% less fuel and emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets, ATR turboprops are the lowest emission regional aircraft on the market, and the ideal platform to establish direct routes between tier 2 and tier 3 cities, optimising travel times and costs.
The figure below shows an example of a regional journey where there is no direct flight available – between Richmond VA and Pittsburgh PA. The overland journey of 370 miles (320NM) takes 6.5 hours by car, 8 hours by bus, and 11 hours by train.
A direct (point to point) flight of 225NM would take less than 1 hour. With a connecting flight, it would take 3.5 to 4.5 hours. In 2019, all 1,500 air passengers flew via a hub (New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC or Charlotte), travelling an average of 550NM – 145% more compared to a direct flight. With an ATR 42-600 turboprop, fuel consumption would have been reduced by 550 tons or 66%, and emissions by 1,750 tons.
Implementing point-to-point turboprop flights between city pairs currently not connected by air, or served by less efficient regional jets, would enable the country to benefit from quicker, convenient, comfortable and affordable regional connectivity, that would also generate fewer emissions than the current available options. Moreover, by providing air connectivity to smaller and remote communities, regional aviation can help alleviate the growing concentration of population in areas where road systems are becoming saturated, offering an alternative transportation option and potentially curbing further urban spread.
Replacing regional jet activity in the U.S. with turboprops on routes up to 500NM (926km) could reduce CO2 emissions by a remarkable 28%, effectively removing the equivalent of 1 million cars from the road annually. If point-to-point turboprop flights were provided for city pairs less than 500NM apart, a 50% fuel reduction could be achieved compared to connecting via a major hub.
Besides, modern turboprop cabins dispel outdated perceptions, providing a spacious and comfortable travel experience that rivals their jet counterparts.
As the United States grapples with the challenges of maintaining regional air connectivity, embracing modern turboprop aircraft and implementing supportive policies could be the key to revitalising this critical infrastructure. Regional aviation is not a luxury but a critical lifeline for the nation’s cohesion and prosperity, ensuring that rural and remote communities have access to essential services, economic opportunities, and social connections that urban areas take for granted. By prioritising regional air transport, the U.S. can bridge the transportation gap and unlock the full potential of its diverse regions.
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