COMMERCIAL
REGIONAL AVIATION
GETTING THE
SIZE RIGHT
Fleet planners are challenged with making the right decision for their airline in the existing
operating environment while anticipating the airline industry’s future
Photograph: embraer
By R. Chandrakanth
N
No one size fits all. It calls for mix and match. It applies
to the airline industry too. The size of the aircraft is critical, if
the operator is keen on expanding markets and customer base,
while remaining financially viable. In mature markets, the issue
of seat configuration may not be that much of an issue as it is in
developing economies.
Widespread Growth
Several developing countries are witnessing phenomenal
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growth of Tier-II and Tier-III cities and towns and all waiting
to be connected to the metros and beyond. India and China are
two emerging economies that are experiencing transformation
at different levels. Villages are growing and becoming towns.
Towns are becoming cities and cities are transforming into
mega cities. Making all this happen is multi-modal transportation, air included.
In India and China, there is a surge of development in Tier-II
and Tier-III cities. In India, cities such as Ahmedabad, Amrit-
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