The turboprop airliner is arguably one of the most fuel efficient aircraft that an airline can use today.  It’s true that turboprops were justifiably unpopular when the first generation regional jets came along but they’ve improved dramatically and offer seat costs that just can’t be matched by those same regional jets.

So why is American Eagle eliminating ATR flying in both Dallas and Miami and subbing in 50 seat regional jets?

The ATR aircraft are being returned to lessors and if the lease rates were an issue, one would expect a negotiation to reduce those lease costs.  In fact, one would expect that to be pretty easy to do.

This is the aircraft that should be used for those flights to regional cities in Texas and it should provide economics that would make retaining those regional jets seem silly.  The trip lengths are no different.  The comfort level is no different.  But for some reason, American Eagle wants to use its Embraer 135/140/145 aircraft on those routes instead.

I would think that we would see those Embraer dumped in favor of buying *more* ATR aircraft.  Yet, American Eagle plunges ahead following the same corporate insanity that the mothership is engaged in.   What is the definition of insanity?

Filed under: Airline Fleets by ajax