Turboprops bounce back

Paul

Veteran
Nov 15, 2005
1,102
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There were two revivals in the regional sector last year, as the resurgence of turboprop sales gave Europe’s sole remaining regional airliner manufacturer ATR its healthiest orderbook for more than a decade. But overall, the regional industry suffered declines in orders and output.

Soaring fuel prices have finally brought the 10-year reign of the small regional jet to a sudden halt, as airlines turn to the more efficient propeller-driven alternatives offered by ATR and Bombardier. This had a direct impact on the sales fortunes of the two rival modes of transport – net orders for ATR 42/72 and Bombardier Q Series turboprops grew by more than 240% to 151 aircraft, while 30- to 80-seat jets built by Bombardier and Embraer slumped to just 25 net orders.

The regional jet net order tally was dramatically reduced as a result of the large-scale order cancellations for Bombardier’s 50-seat CRJ200, which ended 2005 with 69 fewer orders than at the start of the year. Embraer’s 37- to 50-seat ERJ family also suffered, with its orderbook declining by seven during the year, so it is no surprise that production of the CRJ200 is about to be suspended while output of the ERJ is to be significantly curtailed.

Flight International