COMMERCIAL REGIONAL AVIATION
formance or passenger comfort. For both mainline operators
and regional carriers, following the Rule of 70 to 110 can
mean matching capacity to demand, increasing frequency,
right-sizing fleets and maintaining existing markets while
growing new business.
The Embraer 170, 175, 190, and 195 jets are a new-evolution family of aircraft, each engineered from the ground up to
be comfortable, efficient and cost-effective. From the earliest
planning stages, engineers understood the need for a new platform, an airframe created specifically for the 70- to 110-seat
segment. The result incorporates new technology on the flight
deck and proven design elements in the cabin, making the new
airframe both pilot and passenger friendly. SP
The Rule of 70 to 110
Answering Capacity/Demand Gap
The Rule suggests airlines right-size fleets and match capacity to demand to optimally serve the growing 70-to 110-seat
segment.
34%
27%
of flights depart with loads
appr. for 90-110 seat aircraft
of flights depart
with loads
17% 17%
appr. for 70-90
seat aircraft
14%
13%
% of total departures
Brazilian aircraft
manufacturer Embraer
sees strong growth
prospects for small jets
in India.
excess capacity hurts the bottom line
9%
8%
7%
4%
4%
2%
2%
<50
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
regional jet stage lengths
400,000
300,000
2002
200,000
2001
New market applications
for aircraft in the 70- to
110-seat category mean the
line between regional and
mainline jets is blurred
2000
100,000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
0
100
300
300
700
Source: OAG
500
700
900
1,100 1,300 Miles
1,100 1,500 1,900
2,300
Km
Sector distance
Fleet in Service (61- to 120-seat segment)
No. of aircraft
500
Answering Expanding Regional Markets
The Rule proposes that aircraft in the 70-to 110-seat capacity
category, with narrow-body jet type cabin comfort and mission
performance, will blur the line between mainline and regional
aircraft and optimally serve new market opportunities.
300
Answering Ageing Fleets
With nearly 700 aircraft reaching the end of their economic
lives, airlines can apply the Rule to right-size fleets with
new-generation aircraft that are built to last, employ the latest
technology, and are specifically designed for the 70-to 110seat segment.
100
28
ISSUE 5 • 2014
>150
Source: US DOT/BACK Aviation Solutions
Answering Excess Capacity
The Rule states that by incorporating efficient right-sized aircraft, airlines can increase frequency of 70-to 110-seat flights
to capture market share. And while providing customers with
more choice, they can keep 120-plus seat aircraft on highdemand routes.
•
140
3%
Passengers per departure
Annual flights
can generate positive returns. Regularly turning away customers in a fiercely competitive market means loss in revenue and
may also strengthen a rival’s market hold. Acquiring incrementally larger aircraft helps retain passengers and keeps an airline
competitive as well as more profitable.
The shifting market dynamics of the present times, led
Embraer to the principle of fleet capacity optimisation and
the Rule of 70 to 110. Applied correctly, The Rule helps airlines achieve operating efficiency without compromising per-
689
Aircraft older than
20 years
453
34% of total fleet in service
372
400
330
304
277
208
200
0
108
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
30+
Aircraft age (years)
Source: BACK/Fleet PC
www.sps-aviation.com