The market for regional turboprop airliners is set for a relatively stable future, despite explosive demand for regional jets, say manufacturers. Production, they say, is expected to remain at consistent levels throughout the next decade.
ATR expects to build more than 300 ATR 42/72 turboprops over the next 10 years, based on a total market forecast for around 660 40- to 100-seat aircraft over that time. Independent forecasts produced by aerospace consultants Walsh Aviation also indicate relatively strong demand continuing for turboprops in the 35- to 99-seat market between 1999 and 2008. In all, it predicts a demand for almost 1,500 turboprops over the period.
ATR marketing president Jean-Daniel Leroy says: "Our objective is to be at 30-plus sales a year, and we plan to deliver 37 aircraft this year." Speaking at the Speednews regional and corporate suppliers conference, Leroy added that, although this is a far cry from the early 1990s when deliveries exceeded 60 a year, the limited production levels will still be profitable at around the 30-a-year figure. Facing stiff competition from Bombardier's Dash 8Q Series, ATR says its intention is to win more than 50% of the market.
Raytheon, which continues to market the 19-seat Beech 1900D, adds that growing international sales are making up for the lack of new business in the USA - the former bastion of this market sector. "Our forecast shows a need for three to four dozen new 19-seat aircraft for the next five years, and possibly the next 10 years," says Raytheon, which has delivered 631 1900s to date and sold 45 new 1900Ds in 1998.
Source: Flight International
