News Backgrounder
Asia to drive US$20 billion turboprop market
July 1st 2018
Turboprop manufacturer, ATR , this month forecast that Asia would claim 43% of the global turboprop market in the next two decades in a worldwide market that would require 3,000 new turboprops valued at US$20 billion. Read More »
Europe, Africa and the Middle East would take up 31% of remaining demand the manufacturer said, followed in third place by the Americas at 26%.
 |
The Airbus-Leonardo joint venture manufacturer said growing connectivity formed the basis of its positive outlook combined with the fact that turboprops in the up-to-90-seat market remained the most eco-efficient solution for regional aviation.
“The key driver for this positive outlook is traffic growth in regional connectivity,” ATR said. “This comes from traditional markets where less connected markets are being connected with direct regional new routes.
“As well, in emerging markets, the most viable solution for connecting people and transporting goods is turboprop air links.”
In the 2018-2037 forecast, close to 80%, or 2,390 airplanes, will come from the 61-80 seat category, which is served by the manufacturer’s ATR 72. The remaining 20%, or 630 turboprops, will be in the 40-60 seat sector. ATR’s up-to-50 seat -42 type caters for airlines in this market, the Toulouse headquartered manufacturer said.
Regional cargo aircraft business also will expand to 2037, ATR said, with the market predicted to support 460 turboprop freighters.
ATR said 58% of regional networks worldwide had been created in the last 15 years with a particularly strong growth surge for propeller driven types from 2012-2017. An annual average of 100 routes a year was created in this five-year period. Turboprops fly more than half of flights worldwide below 330 nautical miles in 2018.
ATR said turbo prop aircraft potentially could generate 2,770 routes in the next two decades. Regional aircraft growth is forecast at 4.5% a year for the period. About 30% of that traffic in 2037 will be from routes yet to be created, ATR said.
ATR has an in-service fleet of more than 1,100 aircraft with 200 airlines in more than 100 countries.
