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Regional jets’ airline frequencies down 33% since 2019, OAG data reveals

  • 33.5% decline in regional jets frequencies since 2019.
  • Regional jets represented 14.0% of all aircraft frequencies in 2019, dropping to 11.6% in 2022.
  • 57% of all regional jet frequencies operated in North America in 2022.
  • Fewer frequencies are operated by regional jets as bus services and Low-Cost Carriers take on shorter trips and small city services.
  • Central and West Africa has seen an increase of over 5% in regional jet frequencies.

As airlines start to question the viability of their regional route networks and reassess their environmental impact, the next few years look uncertain for regional jet operators and manufacturers.

Regional jets saw a 33.5% decline in frequencies when compared to the last “normal” year pre-pandemic, according to data from OAG’s Schedule Analyser.

For comparison, overall airline frequencies were down by 19.5%.

In 2019 regional jets represented 14.0% of all aircraft frequencies and this dropped to just 11.6% in 2022. (See Chart 1, below)

North America is by far the biggest user of regional jets, with 57% of all regional jet frequencies operated in North America in 2022.

However, as buses replace shorter trips and LCCs (Low-Cost Carriers, which typically operate larger aircraft with between 120-220 seats) take more small-city services, there are fewer frequencies operated by regional jets.

Bucking the global trend, the use of regional jets in Central and West Africa grew by 5% in 2022 versus 2019.

Three of the top 5 airlines using regional jets are Nigerian: Air Peace, Ibom Air and United Nigeria Airlines.

This growth in capacity has largely been on domestic routes.

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