AVIATION COMPETITION: Regional Jet Service Yet to Reach Many Small Communities
Abstract
Many aviation experts view U.S. airlines growing use of small regional jets as a revolutionary development that is significantly changing the aviation marketplace. Because jets are generally faster, quieter, smoother, and perceived to be safer than turboprop aircraft, the public tends to prefer travel by jet. Additionally, because regional jets (typically seating between 32 and 70 passengers) tend to have lower operating costs than larger mainline jets (e.g., the Boeing 737, which may seat 110 passengers or more), expectations rose that air carriers would provide regional jet service to smaller communities that could not profitably support mainline service. And because regional jets can fly farther than turboprop aircraft, their use holds the potential for small communities to obtain new service on longer routes to more distant airports thereby perhaps offering new service options to those small communities. The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) further fueled small communities expectations of improved air service through specific provisions that eased certain restrictions at New York's LaGuardia Airport to encourage air carriers to serve smaller communities with regional jets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA387948
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office