The Turboprop Renaissance

Regional connectivity is crucial for countless communities in the US and across the globe: it opens economic development opportunities, boosts tourism, and guarantees better access to education, health, culture and seeing loved ones. In fact, studies show that a 10% increase in regional flights can generate a 6% increase in GDP, 5% increase in tourism and 8% rise in foreign direct investment.

In the US there are over 3,200 public airports, with over 500 classified as regional. Such airports provide air connectivity to smaller communities, generating $134 billion in economic activity annually. ATR aircraft are ideally suited in size and economics, in terms of low fuel burn and maintenance costs, to serve such communities, and have been circulating in the US market for almost 40 years. ATR turboprops can operate on shorter runways with little infrastructure and are ideal to develop and test new routes which is perfect to increase regional connectivity.

This series of videos gives an insider’s view of what it is like to travel, pilot, run and maintain a US regional airline’s fleet of ATR aircraft.

The state-of-the art ATR-600 series has been transformational for Silver Airways, providing passengers with an aircraft specifically designed for short-haul markets and with the same customer amenities and comfort of larger jetliners.

First time passenger, Geneve compares her first ever ATR flight to a private jet experience, and it’s easy to see why. ATR turboprops offer more than just transport; they provide a comfortable, quiet experience. Enabling adventurous travellers like Dana to get to hard-to-reach places, to connect with family and friends. Picture stepping aboard, greeted by warm smiles and helping hands. As you settle into the spacious cabin, the world below unfolds in a panoramic display, framed perfectly by the high-wing design. It’s no wonder why Geneve from Orlando, says she would “definitely fly ATR again”.

How to transform Florida’s Silver Airways into America’s leading independent regional airline in just five years? Bring in a fleet of modern ATR turboprops, according to the airline’s CEO, Steve Rossum. “It has amazing customer response,” he says, “Pilots want to fly it, technicians want to work on it.”  Silver offers passengers a safe and reliable way to travel from mainland US to exotic destinations in the Bahamas and the Caribbean and he expects it to grow significantly by tapping into underserved markets in the US and internationally that are just perfect for ATRs. Being able to go where other aircraft can’t, the flexibility, economics and low carbon footprint of the ATR are all important factors according to Steve.