Is there a need and scope to revitalize small regional air transport in Europe?

Kurzfassung

Regional air traffic in Europe has changed tremendously over the past years. Under pressure from discount low cost carriers, most regional airlines have either ceased operations or turned into operating platforms for network carriers. Average aircraft size has increased and many thinner routes that used to be served at relatively high frequencies by aircraft with less than 50 seats have disappeared. Hence, many remote regions have lost air transport connectivity, with the typical low-frequency low cost service hardly making a good substitute for business travellers and regional economies. A successful re-vitalization of regional air services could therefore yield in better regional connectivity and help improving the utilization and financials of hundreds of smaller airports and airfields. In our paper, we discuss the viability of new and innovative regional air transport concepts from the technical, operational and economical perspectives. Methodology-wise, based on desk research, air transport cost and demand data and stakeholder interviews, we tackle three main pillars: • A technology and environmental view to analyze current and future small aircraft technologies with regard to their potential to significantly reduce unit costs. • An operational perspective to identify new measures for the reduction of operational costs, like flat-fee landing charges and ATM cost, that are not directly related to the aircraft technology level. We also look at the regional airport level where dramatic potentials for cost reductions might exist. • A social-economic view to assess potential supply patterns and demand levels, as well as resulting social-economic impacts, such as on connectivity and airport financials.