ASI White Paper: The Future of Super Short-Haul Air Transport Southeast Asia
January 2024
Author: Sobie Aviation
Commissioned by: Jamie Bloomfield and Nuno Ribeiro, ASI
The Aviation Studies Institute has commissioned Sobie Aviation with a review of super short-haul air transport across Southeast Asia. It is the first of a two-part analysis that considers the broader integration of transport connectivity in Southeast Asia.
The paper looks at flights in Southeast Asia of up to 500 km length and analyses trends over the past 2 years. Environmental concerns are gradually rising up the agenda in Southeast Asia. Investments continue to be made in land transportation infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail. New aircraft propulsion technologies are on the horizon that might see a reduction in aircraft emissions. Transport connectivity continues to be a necessity for economic growth. Where does this leave the future of ‘super short-haul’ aviation in Southeast Asia?
The paper highlights disparate policies that are shaping the segment and makes several recommendations for policy makers.
This topic complements recent research conducted by the Aviation Studies Institute. That work has developed software models to predict the effects of macro-economic changes upon passenger flows through the region’s air transport networks.
Notable Observations
- As sustainability becomes more important in Southeast Asia it is inevitable that there will be shifts in the domestic super short-haul segment.
- There has been a significant decline in the number of super short-haul routes, coincident with a reduction in turbo-prop fleets.
- The introduction of jet operations at some airports can compel existing turbo-prop operators to convert their fleets to jet aircraft, even on super short-haul routes.
- The introduction of physical infrastructure for high-speed rail is on its own not sufficient to displace demand for air transport.
- Turboprop fleets could facilitate improvements in super short-haul international connectivity whilst limiting environmental impacts as an interim measure until new propulsion technologies and associated infrastructure are available.
- Elimination of aircraft emissions through electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft should be easier on ‘thin’ routes serving small islands, rather than island destinations with large markets. However, requirements for aircraft diversions needs to be considered and may put some routes beyond the reach of these aircraft.
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Please let us know if you experience any issues downloading the white paper. We will be happy to forward a copy via email instead.
Our contact details can be found here: Contact Us.