Turboprops Improving their attractiveness in relation to the Jets

Regional Aircraft

Recent changes: 

Economics and operations

In 2005, the regional jet boom suddenly collapsed, do to increasing fuel prices as well as an increase in airline bankruptcies that led to a rethinking of route structures. 

The high per-seat operational costs of the classic 50-seat regional jet have been exacerbated by an environment of ever-lowering fares. Also, Regional Jets were assigned to operate flights of two hours or more. 

This led to angry passengers, as their comfort and ergonomics compare unfavorably to the larger mainline jets which they replaced on these flights. 

Fifty-seat regional jets are being retired at accelerated rates, affecting both their resale value and the value of their parts. 

Bombardier's CRJ100/200and Embera aircraft are seeing very high retirement rates.

Further, the replacement of the hub-and-spoke model simply never took place. 

Economics

Simply too great to ignore.

The economics and routing advantages of this mode of operation were simply too great. As the hub-and-spoke model has always been supported by low-cost regional airliners and turboprop aircraft which once again became a major market. Improving their attractiveness in relation to the jets was the introduction of active noise-reduction systems, which reduced cabin noise to levels comparable, or even lower, than the RJ's. Bombardier found their Dash 8 to be in high demand once again, and shifted production to their latest model, the Bombardier Q400. And now Bombardier has come out with a redesigned 90 seater DashQ-400 and ATR is on its heels designing one of their own making Turboprops that much more attractive.

The Boeing 737SFP Aircraft

Why This Aircraft is a must for a Start-up Carrier

The 737 design enhancements allow operators to fly increased payload in and out of airports with runways less than 5,000 feet long such as in Tortola (Beef Island) - Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (EIS), Max Runway: 4642 Ft Long Perfect for the 737SFP as well as St Lucia - George F L Charles Airport (SLU) Max Runway: 5735 x 148 feet, Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport used by Air Panama and no one else the Airports Runway is 5,906 Ft, Eugenio María de Hostos Airport/Puerto Rico runway 4,998FT and many more.

Boeing added to the design enhancements include a two-position tail skid that enables reduced approach speeds, sealed leading-edge slats that provide increased lift during takeoff, and increased flight spoiler deflection on the ground that improves takeoff and landing performance.

The short-field design package is an option on the 737-600, -700 and -800 and is standard equipment for the new 737-900ER.

As of today their are 11 operaters of the SFP Aircraft.  250 airplanes have been sol to 11 different airlines. In addition to GOL, Alaska Airlines, Air Europa, Air India, Egyptair, GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), Hapagfly, Japan Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Sky Airlines and Turkish Airlines are among some of the operators that have ordered the design package.

Here at PA Coastal Airways it is  opinion that this Aircraft gives a Startup a leg up on its competition. A Startup can provide Nonstop Service to Airports that can not be served by its competition. 

How Startup Carriers Can Beat 

Competition in the Airline industry!!!

Two Aircraft I would have in a Fleet

First the 737-700 & 800SFP Aircraft

The 737-700/800SFP (Short Field Performance) aircraft by Boeing can land on 4,300FT runways. Thereby allowing a airline Startup carriers to offer Non-stop service to Airports that larger Maine line carriers can not. 

For example Eastern Airlines or National Airlines could offer service to Albook "Marcos Gelabert" International Airport; whose runway is 5906Ft too short for maineline carriers. Allowing a Airline to Codeshare with Air Panama; whose Hub is Albrook. Air Panama Serves twenty-two destinations in Panama out of Albrook as well as Columbia and Costa Rica.

Other airports With Short Runways Located in Cities are:

          There are no US Carriers at these Airports!

São Paulo–Congonhas Airport Runway 6,365FT No US Carrier Suggest 737-900SFP 

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Runway 6,890 FT Suggest 737-900SFP

AnguillaClayton J. Lloyd International Airport Runway

5,463 FT no US Carrier Suggest 737-700SFP
Dominica - Melville Hall Airport (DOM) Max Runway: 4777 FT Suggest 737-700SFP

Ponce/PR - Mercedita Airport (PSE) Max Runway: 6904 x 150 ft Suggest 737-900SFP

St Vincent - E T Joshua Airport (SVD) Max Runway: 4595 x 150 feet / 1401 x 46 Suggest 737-700SFP

Vieques - Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (VQS)Max Runway: 4301 x 75 ft. Suggest 737-700SFP

   Second Aircraft Type

                                    
                                          The Twin Otter

                                            As a Feeder

The TWIN OTTER 300/400 THE MONEY MAKER!!!!!

Lands on 400 Meter Runway or on Beach or water.

It can provide service to the US Virgin Islands as well as BVI Virgin Islands that can not be served by Dash or ATR aircraft.

St Bart's

Saba
ST Pete
Barbuda etc + 14 more islands

The Otter would also be excellent to serve Grenadines, Bahamas and Cuba's small resort Towns.

In our opinion, here at PA Coastal Airways, a startup can only make it in today's world of aviation by flying machines that allow them to go where the big competition can not.

  737-800SFP By GOL Airlines

                         

    Caribbean islands

      Virgin Islands

Twin Otter 400 Series

   South America

Horizon Airlines to Replace its Dash8-Q400

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, is to replace all of its 52 das8-Q400 aircraft in favor of an all Embera 175 Aircraft regional aircraft fleet. While this may be a good decision for Alaska as they flew their Dash on longer segments where a jet is more profitable.

Having said that there is not better aircraft in my opinion on the market. The Dash8-Q400 is Quieter than a jet has a speed of 405 Miles per hour carriers up to 77 passengers and is 40% more fuel efficient that jet aircraft. 

The Dash8-Q400 is perfect for Eastern Airlines  to use as a feeder fleet serving the Bahamas, Cuba, as well as Small Florida Cities like Naples, Florida Keys Marathon Airport Key West, Kissimmee FL, Melbourne Airport.. 

This would allow Eastern to begin serving the Bahamas and Cuba in 2016 while it awaits its fabulous MRJ-90 aircraft that won't arrive till 2019 if all goes well at Mitsubishi.

It would also allow Eastern to make a Hub in the northeast serving to Puerto Rico & other Caribbean Islands as well as Central and South America.

Reducing Fuel Costs

By getting 25 Dash8-Q400 Aircraft Eastern would also reduce its fuel consumption by more than 40% 

And allow Eastern to use the MRJ-90 aircraft to be used on longer routes where Jets are more profitable.

Turboprops VRS Small Regional Jets

Fuel Efficiency

 The good news is that some Major airlines are beginng to phase out the smaller gas-guzzling jets. in 2013 american ordered CRJ-900 and Embera 175 Aircraft bought for its regional partners to replace smaller aircraft. that same year Skyweat airlines Became launch customer for the 80 seat Embera 175-E2 with orders for 100 expected to arrive sometime this year. Skywest also ordered 200 of the super efficient Mitsubishi MRJ-90 regional jets,which can provide over 20% reduction in fuel consumption when compared to current regional 
jets.

Why the Turboprop is Better for short Distances.

However, even even these next-generation jets are not expected to match the efficiency of current turboprops, and even less likely to match the efficiency and even less likely to match coming 90-seat turboprops with next-generation engines (Pratt Whitney Canada) anticipated to deliver a 20% improvement  over today's turboprops. There are five manufactures that have proposed a 90 seat turboprop with ATR aggressively pursuing it.

  

Why I feel it is so important that a airline looking to cut Fuel costs must not only operate the most fuel efficient Jet Aircraft but must always include turboprop Aircraft in its fleet for Short distance destinations to further reduce Fuel consumption.

Turboprops Will save a Airline 40% in Fuel costs!!!

Silver Airways Operates a fleet of 25 SAAB 340B Aircraft.

Silver Airways is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, The Silver Airways fleet is comprised of over 25 Saab 340B plus aircraft (with a capacity of 34 passengers in a spacious, noise reduction equipped cabin), each powered by highly reliable, fuel-efficient General Electric jet-turbine propeller engines. 


Silver Airways is the largest U.S Carrier to operate to the Bahamas and has filed to more than 14 Cuban destinations. 

They operate the very Fuel efficient Saab 340B,  Silver Airways operates more daily flights to more points in the Bahamas. In its home State of Florida, Silver Airways serves more gateways with more daily flights than any other airline.

Silver Airways would be a perfect Fleet Addition to any Small Startup Like Eastern Airlines.

PA Coastal Airways Will Be keeping you up to date on the airline industry. Especially new start ups like Eastern Airlines, National Airlines and smaller carriers like PAWA, air Panama, Pineapple Air, Nature Air and Suriname Air.  

                                    Eastern Air Lines
                                  Hubs Miami & SFO

Eastern Airlines MRJ-90 Aircraft Arrive 2019

In Pic is Eastern Airlines CEO Ed Wegel

                                                          Air Panama out of Panama City

                         Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport

                            
         Silver Airways out of Florida to the Bahamas and Cuba

                                                       Pineapple Air Of The Bahamas

                              Nature Air out of Costa Rica

737-700/800SFP is so necessary to a startups Fleet!!!

Why the 737-700/800SFP is so necessary to a startups Fleet!!!


The 737 SFP Short Field Performance Aircraft is a must for any new carrier to have if they want to fly where American, Delta, United, Southwest, or Jet Blue Cant!!!!! For the 737-700/800SFP can land and takeoff on at airports with runways as little as 4300 Feet.

1) Anguilla has a Runway o f5,463 and is served only by Props. Perfect for nonstop from Miami with a 737-700SFP.

2)Tortola has a Runway with a length of only 4,642FT perfect for a 737SFP. Currently all service is Via SJU. Imagine Non-stop service from Miami and New York as Well as Boston and Philadelphia.

3) Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport in Downtown Panama City currently served only by Air Panama which serves 28 Destinations from Albrook and would make a great Code-share Partner for Eastern Airlines.

I can go on and name many many airports with short runways where SFP Aircraft would be perfect. The Success Airline of Brazil GOL made it to where it is mainly on the Back of all of its 737-700/800SFP Aircraft.

I Feel it is vital for any start up carrier to make sure that they have aircraft that will allow them to fly where the big carriers cant for competing on the same routes would be suicidal. 

While this is a mock up of a Eastern airlines aircraft Landing on a very Short runway just imagine the flexibility and possibilities that this would allow the carrier. 

Here at PA Coastal Airways we have worked out a route planning strategy that would allow Eastern Airlines to serve Central and South america with little or no competition from American or most mainline carriers.