The first commercial turboprop aircraft took to the skies in 1948. It officially entered service in 1953 and was designed by Vickers-Armstrongs.

However, the concept of a turboprop engine was first considered as far back as 1928, when Gyorgy Jendrassik published the idea. He patented his design in 1929. It took ten years to create the engine, which was fitted to a Varga RM-1 X/H. The first turboprop aircraft never flew as it was destroyed in a German bombing raid.

At the time, turboprop aircraft were seen as the solution for the future. They were more efficient and offered a longer range than traditional piston engines.

Then came the jet mania, and jet engines became very popular. But what if turboprops were the future of regional aviation? 

Convenience

Turboprop aircraft can fly at lower altitudes than jets, they can also maintain height at lower speeds. This means the aircraft can take off on significantly shorter runways than jet aircraft.

Many regional airports have short runways, with limited space to extend them. This is particularly true of rural locations, including mountain towns. Flying between these places isn’t possible with a jet, but it is with a turboprop aircraft.

As consumers are increasingly interested in connectivity, regional airports are becoming more popular. However, these airports can only offer a viable service if the airlines use turboprop aircraft.

Fortunately, an increasing number of airlines are becoming aware of this and are adding turboprop aircraft to their fleets.

In short, consumer demand is pushing airlines to adopt turboprop aircraft and use local airports. 

The environmental Factor

Perhaps the biggest reason that turboprops are helping revive local airports is that consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment.

According to recent surveys, 77% of people will always or nearly always consider the environmental impact before purchasing something. A turboprop aircraft like the ATR 72-600 uses less fuel and produces approximately 45% less emissions than a similar-size jet engine. With such positive environmental factors, compared to jets, it’s hardly surprising that turboprop aircraft are becoming more popular with consumers.

Alongside this, governments across the globe are increasingly restricting allowable emissions. This means airlines are turning to the best alternatives, specifically turboprop aircraft.

The side effect of this has been the ability to increase flight numbers by using more rural airports. It’s made it easier for people to fly anywhere in the US, while remaining true to their environmental intentions. 

Airline operators looking at purchasing commercial turboprop aircraft should note, there are several manufacturers. However, ATR is probably the most popular, and its ATR 72 has an excellent reputation.

There are cost savings to be had. However, the real reason to choose a turboprop aircraft is that it’s a practical choice as it meets consumer demand – that’s the need for a lower-emission alternative and the convenience of local airports.

It’s this that is driving the revival of local airports and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.