By Bikram Vohra
Every now and then regional aircraft in the 35 to 70 categories are given a sort of fond farewell. Like The End flashes on the screen.
Even props are consigned to the pages of history. And yet they make a comeback every time. For India, the role of regional aircraft is still a very valid premise. As the robust nature of aviation in India manifests itself the role of regional aircraft will, most likely, intensify. Let’s first look at the landscape and see what’s happening.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages a total of 137 Airports, which includes 103 Domestic Airports, 24 International Airports, and 10 Customs Airports. AAI is responsible for creating, maintaining, upgrading, and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India and works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
It is a fact that since 2014, 75 new airports have been built as part of the Narendra Modi government’s vision to bring air travel within the reach of a vast number of common citizens and asserted the key sector was on the upswing.
As many as 15 more airports are in the making: a total network currently envisaged of 220 airports.
In 2024, aviation companies in India had a total of 610 aircraft, a significant portion of which were narrow-body aircraft. By the year 2034, the number of narrow-body aircraft would double to more than 1250 units from their position in 2021. By 2047 India will lead global aviation. At present only 5% of her 1.6 billion population has flown.
Over 30 airports are now Cityports. In 2019 Hyderabad was declared to be in the top ten in the world and that is a very decent measure of what can be done. By Cityport one means these are self-sufficient entertainment centers replete with hotels, rest options, food choices, lounges, bars, spas, etc making them into townships.
Regional aircraft are set to play a crucial role in the future of India’s aviation industry due to several reasons. As India’s economy continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for air travel within the country, particularly to connect smaller cities and towns. Regional aircraft are ideal for serving these routes as they are cost-effective, have lower operating costs, and can operate from smaller airports with limited infrastructure.
The Indian government’s emphasis on improving regional connectivity through initiatives like the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme further highlights the importance of regional aircraft. This scheme aims to enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved regions by providing affordable air travel options. Regional aircraft are well-suited to cater to the needs of such routes, offering a convenient and efficient mode of transport for passengers traveling to and from remote areas.
In addition, regional aircraft can help decongest major airports in India by diverting some of the traffic to smaller regional airports. This can lead to a more efficient use of resources and infrastructure, reducing delays and improving the overall air travel experience for passengers. By connecting regional hubs to major airports, regional aircraft can also facilitate seamless travel for passengers transferring between domestic and international flights. Today, India has 65 cities with over a million population. In comparison, the US has nine and China 106.
Furthermore, regional aircraft have the potential to stimulate economic growth in smaller cities and towns by increasing connectivity and accessibility. Improved air connectivity can attract investment, boost tourism, and create employment opportunities in these regions. This can contribute to the overall development and prosperity of India’s hinterlands, driving socioeconomic progress across the country.
As technology advances, regional aircraft are becoming more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced. Newer aircraft models offer enhanced passenger comfort, improved range, and lower emissions, making them a sustainable choice for regional air travel. With the introduction of next-generation regional aircraft, airlines in India can further optimize their operations, reduce costs, and minimize their environmental footprint.
Overall, the future role of regional aircraft in India is promising, with growing demand for regional connectivity, government support for enhancing air travel infrastructure, and technological advancements driving the evolution of regional air transportation. The consumption of fuel is lower, the aircraft require shorter runways and fit into the ultra-safety envelope. Environmentally, they are cleaner and more user-friendly.
In the next 20 years, one can expect the global turboprop demand to reach around 2,450 aircraft. Aircraft replacement will be a primary driver of demand over the next two decades, accounting for 1,500 new aircraft in service in 2041. There will be a higher passenger demand for lower-emission travel, which means in the future the aviation industry will naturally favour low-carbon emitting aircraft, such as turboprops. New, disruptive technologies, coming on stream in the next decade, will also bring turboprops to the forefront of the aviation industry. India would be in the market for at least 150 aircraft over the next 10 years.
India’s diverse aviation sector demands a range of aircraft to cater to different needs, from regional connectivity to long-haul international flights.
The Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 will begin to service markets that were once 70-seater feeder stopovers. It is a popular choice for Indian airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara for domestic and short-haul international flights.
The ATR 72 turboprop aircraft is widely used by regional airlines in India, including Alliance Air and IndiGo’s regional subsidiary, IndiGoR. The ATR 72’s ability to operate from short runways and regional airports makes it ideal for connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities across the country.
At the low end of the uplift The Beechcraft King Air 350, a 10-seater is a well-established line of twin-turboprop aircraft capable of making high-frequency flights over difficult terrain.
The Bombardier Dash 8 series, stretching from 36 to 78 seats over variants like the Q100, Q200, Q300, and Q400, is a versatile line of turboprop aircraft designed for regional and short-haul operations. The Q400 is a good choice.
The Embraer E jet family is always a strong contender in the regional sphere. In early March 2004, the first E170 deliveries were made to LOT. Larger versions of the aircraft, the E190 and E195, debuted later in 2004, while a slightly stretched version of the E170 was introduced in mid-2005 as the E175.
The 9 pax Pilatus PC-12, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft, is a single-engine turboprop known for its ruggedness and ability to operate on smaller airstrips. A strong choice for short hops.
The 19-passenger Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter, a Canadian-built utility aircraft, has gained a reputation for its short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, making it suitable for operations in remote and challenging environments. The Twin Otter is widely used in passenger and cargo transport, as well as specialized missions such as aerial surveying and humanitarian aid.
These turboprop aircraft represent a diverse range of capabilities and applications and are widely recognized for their reliable performance and suitability for various operational requirements. India is spoilt for choice.
Bikram Vohra is the Consulting Editor of Indian Aerospace & Defence
