The Future of Short-Haul Transport Aircraft

Recently, major economic and regulatory changes have occurred which have initiated shifts in short-haul airline service patterns and aircraft technology requirements. Faced with rapidly escalating fuel costs, larger airlines have begun to move their jet transports to longer, more profitable routes. The short-haul routes left by the larger airlines are being serviced by the rapidly growing commuter airlines, largely using small turboprop powered aircraft.

The transition to more efficient aircraft for short-haul will continue and, in the future, most short-haul operations will be performed by specialized propeller and rotor driven aircraft. This paper presents the results of some recent design studies of short-haul transport aircraft technology and provides illustrations of some potential future designs.