[Guardian Ng] SOME few years ago, precisely in the early 2000s, it looked as if it was over for turboprop aircraft, as far as airlines were concerned.The revival of the propeller-driven planes -- which typically consume a quarter to a third less fuel than equivalent jets -- marks a significant new trend in the industry.
Although the latest generation of turboprops has addressed some of the comfort issues by flying above turbulence and providing quieter cabins, analysts said that the airlines' worries about their bottom line outweighed any passenger preferences.
Until recently, many commuter airlines had been determined to consign the planes to history and convert to all-jet fleets, which offer greater passenger comfort.
Planes with jet engines were faster, more comfortable and somehow more modern looking than ones with whirly things on the wings.
Nigerian travellers would not hear of it and airlines jettisoned them and went for jet airlines. Passengers enjoyed it while those who operated the aircraft type lost customers. All that mattered to them was satisfying their customers.
The airlines did this during the boom in air travel. It also happened at a time many could afford to travel and at a time when airfares were low.
The operators could afford to do that then, but the reality has dawned on them that for so many years, they developed and still developing routes with B737-800/700/500/400, A320, A319, MD 80/83 and many other regional jets.
There is nothing wrong operating these listed aircraft types to places like Abuja, Kano, Port-Harcourt or Owerri only if the airlines have about a hundred or more passengers to be airlifted to such destination. It makes no economic sense if an airline with less than 60 passengers decides to embark on such short trip with highly fuel consuming aircraft.
The case favouring turboprops is also bolstered by ongoing high fuel costs outside globally. Bombardier has seen sales success of its Q400s of late as airlines realise the benefit of high-speed turboprops.
In Nigeria, there is a revival for the turboprops and smaller jets, as ATR, Bombardier and Embraer are in Nigeria for the share of the market, just as the recent decision by the federal government to bail out airlines by way of intervention fund has made them to be more aggressive in their marketing scheme.