The values of turboprops continue to hold fast, according to RAN’s sister publication Aircraft Value News, which, in its April 16 issue, includes a complete valuation for all turboprops. The market for at least the more popular types remains strong and the manufacturers are experiencing difficulty in meeting demand.
Since 2005, the high price of fuel has allowed operators to once more focus on the turboprop as an economic means of transporting passengers. The emphasis on ticket price has also modified passenger perceptions of relative safety levels of turboprops while more streamlined security measures as well as internet check in has reduced door-to-door transit times. Lack of replacement products, limited production rates, and conversion of older units to freighters have also played their part in keeping levels of availability to the minimum. Despite being in service for approximately a decade, there has consistently been limited availability of the ATR72-500. Consequently the improvement in turboprop values goes beyond the price of fuel such that, even if the price of fuel did fall for any length of time, there should still be demand for propeller driven aircraft. For a complete report see Aircraft Value News