With the publication of its 2022 Annual Report, Regional Airline Association (RAA) President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black issued the following statement:
“RAA is pleased to announce the publication of our 2022 Regional Airline Association Annual Report. The report looks back at the full year’s air service and industry data from 2021, the beginning of the COVID recovery era. It’s a thorough look, and frankly, a hard look at a story of declining connectivity for American communities and people who rely on regional air service as part of their full and vibrant lives. As regionals lost market share, the number of communities relying exclusively on regional airlines for air service jumped. We now view this data through the lens of 2022, where we know the disconnection of smaller downtowns and rural communities has only worsened.
"Today’s small community air service crisis, juxtaposed with the 2021 data in this report, shows how deeply most of the country relies on regional air service, and must serve as a wake-up call to policymakers. Regional airlines have made comprehensive workforce investments – from compensation investments to career and tuition assistance to a wide range of supports. Yet, the pilot shortage and the associated captain shortage have only worsened, and now threaten small community air service in a fundamental way. If policymakers fail to do their job, and do not give the pilot shortage the urgent attention it warrants, small community air service will be a thing of the past, and air travel will soon be a privilege reserved for those residing in our urban centers. The maps on page 19 show the air service map if the lights go out on regional airports and dim everywhere else as passengers lose frequency and destination options even at larger airports.
"We are relentless in our fight to advance safety-centered policy solutions to open aviation careers to people from all walks of life, and to protect and rebuild air service to small and medium-sized communities. We need the full participation of our community, more than ever. We must each reach out to policymakers and urge reasonable, safety-centered solutions to the needless barriers to entry — financial and otherwise — barring the career for most Americans. We must hold our policymakers accountable for the air service collapse that is unfolding on their watch.
"Your support for RAA and its members – through membership, sponsorships, and your own grassroots advocacy participation – has never been more important. You each play an important part in this community we are determined to protect. We will once again thrive, and serve communities large and small, thanks to your steadfast support. Please read and share this report, draw on its data to illustrate the importance of regional air service, engage with us on social media and help spread the word about our important industry and all it supports.
"This is a climb, at times a long and arduous one, but our work together has never been more important.”
Read the report here.
