TURBO CHARGED
Using turboprops for some regional jet replacement is an option that Bombardier is confident will be pursued. Between early 2000 and December 2009, the Canadian airframer delivered 65 Q400s to US operators, including to Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon, Pinnacle Airlines subsidiary Colgan and Frontier.
While the 11 Q400s operated by former Frontier unit, and now Republic subsidiary, Lynx Aviation are being culled from Republic's fleet, Bombardier "clearly believes there is a role for the Q400 in North America", says Gordon Pratt, who is director for the Q400 aircraft programme. He points out that the Q400 "enters services that were either previously flown by jets or are still flown by jets and are being supplemented by turboprops at different times of the day". A stretch of the Q400, dubbed the Q400X, also "remains high interest to existing and potential new customers", says Pratt. "It's going to be a very versatile airplane. In terms of seat mile costs, it has the potential to be a tremendous airplane."
Abbey adds: "I think operators will tell you, and original equipment manufacturers will certainly tell you, that there absolutely is room for more turboprops in the US fleet. The arguments are water tight in terms of comfort, economics and performance - basically all the criteria that fleet planners look at. But there is clearly - and sadly - hesitancy in codesharing operations to make that commitment."
Using turboprops for some regional jet replacement is an option that Bombardier is confident will be pursued. Between early 2000 and December 2009, the Canadian airframer delivered 65 Q400s to US operators, including to Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon, Pinnacle Airlines subsidiary Colgan and Frontier.
While the 11 Q400s operated by former Frontier unit, and now Republic subsidiary, Lynx Aviation are being culled from Republic's fleet, Bombardier "clearly believes there is a role for the Q400 in North America", says Gordon Pratt, who is director for the Q400 aircraft programme. He points out that the Q400 "enters services that were either previously flown by jets or are still flown by jets and are being supplemented by turboprops at different times of the day". A stretch of the Q400, dubbed the Q400X, also "remains high interest to existing and potential new customers", says Pratt. "It's going to be a very versatile airplane. In terms of seat mile costs, it has the potential to be a tremendous airplane."
Abbey adds: "I think operators will tell you, and original equipment manufacturers will certainly tell you, that there absolutely is room for more turboprops in the US fleet. The arguments are water tight in terms of comfort, economics and performance - basically all the criteria that fleet planners look at. But there is clearly - and sadly - hesitancy in codesharing operations to make that commitment."
