SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Aviation industrial expert Mahesh Hegde has raised concerns regarding the rationale behind the development of the RTA-90 aircraft based on turboprop engines, given the limited demand for such aircraft in India. Speaking to idrw.org, Hegde emphasized that market projections from major aerospace manufacturers indicate a marginal requirement for turboprop-powered regional jets in India over the next two decades.
According to Hegde, procurement projections by all major aerospace vendors that manufacture commercial jets suggest that only 6 percent of the total planned aircraft procurement by Indian airline operators in the next 20 years will consist of turboprop-powered regional jets. Instead, the market will be dominated by narrowbody jets, with a particular preference for aircraft in the A321 class, which are powered by high-bypass turbofan engines rather than turboprop engines.
Hegde further elaborated that India will require approximately 76% narrowbody jets over the next two decades to meet its aviation sector’s growing demands. Given this scenario, he believes that developing the RTA-90 with two high-bypass turbofan engines as the initial variant would make more economic and operational sense. A turboprop engine variant could then be introduced at a later stage to cater to the limited market segment that requires such aircraft.
Industry observers have pointed out that while turboprop aircraft are often more fuel-efficient on short-haul routes, Indian airline operators are largely investing in jets that provide higher speed, greater passenger capacity, and longer range, making them more viable for the country’s rapidly expanding aviation network.
The debate over the propulsion choice for the RTA-90 underscores the need for a thorough market analysis before committing to large-scale aircraft development programs. With India’s aviation sector expected to witness exponential growth, aligning indigenous aircraft development with industry demand will be critical for commercial success.
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