It’s been tough in recent years for small cities across the U.S. and the globe. Major commercial airlines – eyeballing their revenue numbers – have slashed many mainline jet flights from these smaller markets or even pulled out entirely. They’ve asked themselves: “Why should we fly a 160- or 180-seat jet into a city where we could take that same aircraft, put it on another route with more passengers and make more money?”
Of course, the U.S. Essential Air Service (EAS) program, surfacing after the Airline Deregulation Act (ADA) of 1978, helps assure that a minimum air service level is maintained in certain less populous cities; government subsidies are provided for a few small-plane flights. Yet, for communities, it’s not a panacea. Compared with pre-pandemic levels, many of these small cities have far fewer flights and, in some cases, airlines have “flown away entirely” – thus lessening competition.
High-quality regional airlines often have stepped in to fill many of the service gaps with regional jets or turboprops…
One positive development, though, is that high-quality regional airlines often have stepped in to fill many of the service gaps with regional jets or turboprops. “That’s vital as the flow of people and cargo to major U.S. hub airports, and other points beyond supports local, regional, national, and global economies,” says Stanley Kowlessar, General Manager of Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA), an FAA 145 and EASA Certified repair station provider of MRO services in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In 2022, though, regional carriers have faced major challenges – everything from shortages of qualified pilots to continuing supply chain issues. “From an MRO perspective, we strive daily to assist our regional airline customers keep their turboprops and regional jets in tip-top condition,” Kowlessar emphasizes. “As a result, these planes remain in the air, providing revenue for regional airlines and flight connectivity for their passengers.”
With more than three decades of MRO experience and five years under new ownership/management, TTA provides overhaul, repair, and functional testing capabilities for various regional aircraft platforms – from Embraer’s ERJ 145s (and up) to Bombardier’s CRJ 200s and others. What’s the most widely used aircraft on regional U.S. air routes? That’s considered to be the Embraer E175. Seating anywhere from 76 to 88 passengers, varying by airline, it’s typically operated on short- to medium-distance flights.
TTA offers our regional airline clients with such cost-effective MRO services as hydraulic pumps, PDUs, stab actuators, and more…
Whatever the aircraft platform, though, “we offer our regional airline clients with such MRO services as cost-effective hydraulic pumps, pump and motor packages, pneumatic valves, PDUs, stab actuators, generators, and more,” says Kowlessar. “In most cases, despite the aviation industry-wide supply chain issues, we’ve also performed required MRO work for our regional airline clients in a timely manner, thanks to the strength of TTA’s in-house parts availability.”
During the past three years, TTA has invested in its business by sizably expanding its parts inventory. “That business tactic has allowed us to respond more quickly to client needs, help our valued regional airline customers keep their planes in the air, and take on new customers at the same time,” Kowlessar notes.
In addition, based on TTA’s decades of experience on various aircraft platforms, its skilled technicians will properly evaluate high-cost or frequent replacement items when these units come in for service, he says. “We often can suggest cost-effective options to keep these components from going to ‘Beyond Economical Repair’ (BER), which helps our regional airline customers maintain their fleet at a reasonable cost.” That too can avoid delays in aircraft returning to service.
Keeping regional aircraft in prime operating condition is critical for the airlines, their customers, and the smaller cities they serve…
For passengers, there’s one obvious perk of reliable regional airline service. “If a flight from a small city to a hub airport is canceled, people preparing for an important business trip or vacation may find themselves required to drive hours to the nearest major airport to catch another flight out,” says Kowlessar. “No one wants the stress that comes with that dilemma.”
So, keeping regional aircraft in prime operating condition is critical for both regional airlines, their customers, and smaller cities that they serve. To find out more about how TTA’s MRO services could add value to your business’ bottom line, check out our website at www.thrusttech.com.
About Thrust Tech Accessories
Thrust Tech Accessories, based near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) supports a number of regional airlines across the U.S., along with overseas air carriers and rotorcraft operators in numerous countries around the globe. It also supports corporate and private aircraft owners and operators. To find out more about TTA’s wide-ranging capabilities to support an aircraft or fleet and to obtain competitive program bids, contact TTAsales@TrustTech.com or call 954-984-0450.
