Regional airlines in Europe

The European Regional Airlines Association (ERA) was formed in 1980 by what was then a very small group of airlines - in those days they were more often referred to as commuter airlines but this is a term which is fast fading into history. The aircraft which will fly the ERA network in the year 2000 will constitute advanced turboprops with an ever-increasing number of new jet types. International regulations led by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and driven by the demands of airports and the public to reduce noise nuisance have been bettered by regional sector aircraft. The development of an integrated air traffic control system would, without doubt, enable civil air transport to avoid unnecessary fuel burns as well as going a long way towards eliminating delays causing ground congestion - another form of pollution - and allowing the airlines to produce a better product.