1. Aviation Market 2018: Regional Airlines and Airports Profiler
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2. Experiencing Continued Turbulence
Experiencing Continued Turbulence
According to the latest report from the Regional Airlines Association (RAA), the industry continued to decline in key categories, such as departures completed, which was 3.81 million during 2016, compared to 3.87 million for 2015.
The good news is that the two most-important metrics increased for 2016: revenue passenger miles (RPMs), billion, compared to billion for 2015, and available seat miles (ASMs), billion, compared to billion for 2015.
The only other categories with increases from 2015 to 2016 were US regional certified carriers, from 64 to 67; average seating capacity, from 61 to 62; and average passenger trip length, from 478 to 488 miles.

3. Fighting the Same Headwind
Fighting the Same Headwind
The RAA also reported that during the 2013–2017 period 174 regional airports had at least 20% fewer departures, 65 airports lost at least half of their departures, 26 airports lost at least 75% of their air service and 20 airports closed.
Although a regional airlines pilot’s training ROI has reached $33 for every dollar spent on training (which is greater than a physician or attorney), the cost of pilot training continues to increase, which has reduced the number of aspiring pilots.
The industry is also suffering from a shortage of skilled maintenance technicians and is in need of modernization of the US Air Traffic Control system, so service can continue in and to smaller communities.

4. A Travel-Service Imperative
Of all regional enplanements during 2016, RAA member airlines accounted for %, and of all 2016 departures, RAA member airlines accounted for 36.42%.
Regional airlines were the only sources of scheduled passenger air service to 64% of US airports and regional airlines operated 42% of scheduled passenger departures.
According to U.S. Department of Transportation data from October 2017, SkyWest Airlines was #11 in total complaints (13), or 0.39/100K enplanements. ExpressJet Airlines was #7, with 7 complaints, or 0.61/100K enplanements.

5. Those Magnificent Flying Machines
Those Magnificent Flying Machines
RAA members operated 1,955 total aircraft during 2016, 1,661, or 85%, were jets and 294, or 15%, were non-jets.
SkyWest Airlines had the largest fleet of fixed-wing aircraft during 2016, with of them 3 Bombardier/de Havilland models and 103 of them an Embraer model.
Of the 8 major manufacturers of fixed-wing aircraft that regional airlines flew during 2016, Bombardier/de Havilland accounted for 1,024; Embraer, 833; Cessna, 311; Piper, 60; and Beechcraft, 51.

6. Navigating to and from Major Hubs
Navigating to and from Major Hubs
Among the top 5 US airports in total 2016 departures, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson’s share of regional departures was 19.0%, while Chicago O’Hare’s share was 56.1%; Dallas/Fort Worth, 42.2%; Los Angeles, 24.1%; and Denver, 33.6%.
The shortest regional jet route by distance (66 miles) during 2016 was Chicago O’Hare, IL to Milwaukee, WI. The longest regional jet route by distance (1,731 miles) was St. Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA.
The top 5 states by total 2016 regional enplanements were Texas, 15.5 million; Illinois, 11.3 million; California, 10.6 million; North Carolina, 9.8 million; and New York, 8.6 million.

7. Advertising Strategies
Advertising Strategies
Regional airports can use TV during the most-active travel seasons, in conjunction with a direct mail or social media campaign, to promote local awareness. Content should emphasize benefits to customers: easy access, parking close to the terminal, etc.
Encourage regional airlines with service to your market to promote their safety record, their highly trained pilots, fewer bumps and less lost luggage (if the data is positive), and the higher level of personalized service on planes with fewer passengers.
Like major airports, regional airports may want to consider developing a broader selection of retail outlets with merchandise not only related to flying, but also products deplaning passengers may need to purchase on the way home, similar to a convenience store.

8.
New Media Strategies
To attract younger adults, regional airlines must have a proactive presence on social media. Consider offering a free flight home at the end of the school year to “brand ambassadors” at selected colleges in exchange for posting content about their experiences.
Use LinkedIn to connect with the largest (and all) businesses and their employees, especially c-suite executives, in smaller markets with regular regional airline service. Post content about the ease of travel, ticket costs, etc. and ask for video testimonials.
Post content, especially videos, from aircraft manufacturers for regional airlines that show the quality of manufacturing to boost customers’ confidence in the safety of the aircraft. Consider similar videos of pilots showing the thoroughness of their pre-flight inspection.

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