Europe Launches Long-Distance Turboprop Flights This December

European aviation is set to witness an intriguing shift this December, as several airlines introduce turboprop flights exceeding 800 miles (1,287.5 km). According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, there are 45 scheduled flights utilizing turboprop aircraft on these longer routes, challenging the conventional perception of turboprops as suitable only for short-haul travel.

Noteworthy Long-Distance Routes

The most significant of these operations include two special one-off flights to Malta. The first route involves a round trip from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) in Germany, executed by Luxwing with a 78-seat Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. Scheduled for December 28, the journey covers a distance of 949 miles (1,527.3 km), with flight durations estimated at approximately two hours.

Even longer is the service from Luxembourg (LUX) to Malta, which Luxair will operate on December 20. This route spans 1,038 miles (1,670.5 km) and will feature two round trips using a 76-seat Dash 8-Q400. Luxair’s outbound flight is expected to take three hours and 10 minutes, while the return journey will take three hours and 35 minutes.

Luxair commented on its fleet, stating,

“This model has greater flexibility for take-off and landing over short distances, making it the most suitable and efficient aircraft for developing our destinations network across most of Europe.”

Regular Turboprop Operations

In addition to the special flights, Luxair has a regularly scheduled route from Luxembourg to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), covering 836 miles (1,345.4 km). This December, Luxair will operate this route ten times in each direction, with two return flights every week on Fridays and Sundays. Additional flights are scheduled for December 23 and 30, with block times of two hours and 45 minutes.

The Dash 8-Q400 aircraft used for this route are configured with 76 seats in a flexible two-class layout. This setup allows Luxair to accommodate varying business class demands while maintaining comfort, with seats measuring 16.8 inches wide and a pitch of 31 inches.

Elsewhere in Europe, other airlines are also expanding their turboprop offerings.

Additional Airlines and Routes

Iberia Regional operates a weekly service from Gran Canaria (LPA) to Melilla (MLN), a Spanish exclave in northern Africa. This route covers 889 miles (1,430.7 km) and is flown by Medavia, with block times reaching up to four hours.

In Greenland, both Icelandair and Air Greenland are servicing the 874-mile route between Nuuk (GOH) and Reykjavik–Keflavik Airport (KEF). Icelandair will conduct three round trips at the end of December using Air Iceland Connect’s 76-seat Dash 8-400 model. These flights are set for December 21, 28, and 30, with expected block times of up to two hours and 45 minutes.

Air Greenland will also operate on this route with its 37-seat Dash 8-200 aircraft. The airline has scheduled four flights from Keflavik to Nuuk but only one return flight. These flights will feature longer block times of up to three hours and 20 minutes.

As airlines continue to innovate and expand their networks, the introduction of longer turboprop flights in Europe this December signifies a notable evolution in regional air travel, catering to varied passenger needs across the continent.