Regional Jets Replace Turboprops as the Predominant Aircraft Flown

More than 98 million people flew on U.S. regional aircraft in 2002, setting another benchmark for the American regional airline industry. The figure represents roughly 15 percent of all domestic passengers who flew that year. Delta Connection carriers Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines comprised the largest carrier group in 2002, flying nearly 17 million passengers in all, according to statistics the Regional Airline Association (RAA) provided exclusively to CRAN.

Regional jets (RJs) took over turboprops in 2002 as the predominant aircraft flown. Of the 2,385 total regional aircraft operated in 2002, 43.6 percent were RJs, RAA President Deborah McElroy told CRAN. Turboprops made up 38 percent of the fleet, while piston aircraft made up 18 percent, she said. This compares to 2,323 total regional aircraft flown in 2001, when turboprops were 47 percent of the fleet, RJs made up 34 percent of the fleet and piston aircraft held a 19 percent share.

American Eagle Airlines, with about 12.8 million passengers, was the top carrier in 2002, followed by ExpressJet, with more than 9 million passengers, and Comair, which flew nearly 8.6 million.

By comparison, in 1998 American Eagle -- the largest regional that year -- flew 10.6 million passengers, while Comair -- the second largest regional that year -- flew about 6.2 million passengers. Continental Express was the third-largest carrier in 1998, flying 5.6 million passengers.

RJs are replacing turboprop planes in nearly all categories as the turboprops are retired. From 2001 to 2002, there were fewer turboprops operating across categories, McElroy said. There were fewer 19-seat turboprops over the one-year span (252 compared to 233); the 20-30 seaters went from 219 to 167; and the number of 31-40 seaters declined from 407 to 226, she said.

RAA released the statistics to CRAN ahead of their normal release date. The figures will be reprinted in RAA's annual report, which is expected out in August.