Super-Short-Haul Operations Recovering Slowly In Southeast Asia

A new study has found that the recovery rate of super-short-haul flights has lagged in Southeast Asia, and in a parallel trend, the number of turboprop aircraft in the region has dropped significantly.

Domestic super-short-haul frequencies in Southeast Asia were still at 68% of 2019 levels in 2023, with seat capacity at 73%, according to a study commissioned by the Singapore-based Aviation Studies Institute. The study was authored by independent analyst Brendan Sobie.

The Southeast Asia rate for this category is lower than the global recovery rate—and also lower than the overall domestic recovery rate for Southeast Asia of 79% for frequencies and 84% for seat capacity.

Super-short-haul flights are defined as those fewer than 500 km (310 mi.). This category accounted for 40% of scheduled domestic frequencies in Southeast Asia in 2023 and 32% of seats. The study uses data sourced from OAG Schedules Analyser.

Turboprops—predominantly ATRs—operated 43% of the domestic flights in this category in Southeast Asia in 2023, the study finds. This is slightly higher than the global average.

The number of turboprop flights in Southeast Asia has dropped by almost 40% versus 2019, with the turboprop total falling from about 300 aircraft at the start of 2020 to 200 now.

“Southeast Asian airlines have been reducing their turboprop fleets in recent years, increasing their reliance on jets even on the shortest routes and resulting in an increase in average aircraft gauge,” the study says.

One of the major points raised in the study is that the super-short-haul market segment has the greatest near-term potential for the introduction of zero-emission aircraft. However, there have been few commitments to the development of such aircraft from airlines in this region.

“The principal recommendation of this study is for Southeast Asian airlines and governments to consider alternative propulsion options for the super-short-haul segment," the study says. "This could require a mindset change for airlines, airports and governments."

More specific recommendations pertain to aviation policies in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.