Turboprop Aircraft Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Application (Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, General Aviation), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.71 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.94%
Fastest Growing Segment	Commercial Aviation
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 11.63 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Turboprop Aircraft Market will grow from USD 8.71 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.63 Billion by 2031 at a 4.94% CAGR. The Global Turboprop Aircraft Market encompasses the manufacturing and operation of fixed-wing aircraft powered by gas turbine engines that drive propellers, primarily utilized for short-haul regional transport and utility missions. The market is fundamentally supported by the superior fuel efficiency of turboprop engines on shorter routes compared to regional jets, which offers operators distinct cost advantages. Furthermore, the inherent capability of these aircraft to utilize short or unpaved runways drives sustained demand by facilitating essential connectivity to remote regions and archipelago nations where infrastructure is limited.

However, persistent industrial supply chain disruptions present a significant impediment to market expansion. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, in 2023, turboprop airplane deliveries increased by 9.6 percent to 638 units. Despite this positive trajectory in shipments, manufacturers continue to face logistical bottlenecks regarding the timely procurement of essential components such as engines and avionics. This volatility in the supply chain restricts production capacity and extends delivery timelines, challenging the industry's ability to fully capitalize on the rising global demand for regional air mobility.

Key Market Drivers

Rising demand for regional connectivity and short-haul routes acts as a primary catalyst for the Global Turboprop Aircraft Market, as operators increasingly favor these airframes for their economic viability on lower-density sectors. Turboprops offer a distinct operational cost advantage over regional jets on flight segments under 500 nautical miles, making them indispensable for airlines expanding networks into tier-2 and tier-3 cities where infrastructure is often limited. This structural need for efficient feeder traffic is driving substantial long-term procurement projections. According to Embraer, July 2024, in the 'Commercial Market Outlook 2024', the industry anticipates a global demand for 2,030 new turboprop aircraft in the sub-150 seat category through 2043 to satisfy this requirement for regional mobility.

Simultaneously, the modernization of military transport and maritime patrol fleets provides a critical revenue stream, insulating manufacturers from commercial cycle volatility. Defense ministries are aggressively replacing obsolete tactical airlifters with versatile modern platforms capable of multi-role operations, including humanitarian aid, medical evacuation, and coastal surveillance on unpaved runways. This strategic pivot is evident in recent localized production initiatives designed to secure supply chains. According to Airbus, October 2024, in a corporate press statement, the company inaugurated a new Final Assembly Line in India to manufacture 40 C295 military transport aircraft. Highlighting the broader industrial stability amidst these driving forces, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, December 2024, global shipments of turboprop airplanes reached 435 units during the first nine months of the year, demonstrating sustained market activity.

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Key Market Challenges

Persistent industrial supply chain disruptions constitute a critical barrier to the expansion of the Global Turboprop Aircraft Market. This logistical instability specifically affects the procurement of integral components such as engines and avionics, creating severe production bottlenecks. Consequently, manufacturers struggle to maintain consistent assembly rates, leading to extended lead times and a constrained ability to scale operations. This disconnect between manufacturing capacity and market interest hampers the industry's ability to capitalize on the robust demand for short-haul and utility transport, effectively stalling fleet modernization efforts for operators who require these versatile assets for regional connectivity.

The tangible impact of these supply chain constraints is evident in recent industry performance figures. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, in 2024, turboprop airplane deliveries declined by 1.9 percent to 626 units. This contraction in shipments, occurring despite the clear operational advantages of turboprop aircraft, underscores how component shortages directly restrict market growth. By physically limiting the number of aircraft that can be finalized and delivered, these logistical challenges prevent the sector from sustaining the positive delivery trajectory seen in previous years.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain Prototypes is fundamentally reshaping the technological roadmap of the market, driven by the industry's urgent requirement to achieve zero-emission regional flight. Manufacturers and startups are moving beyond initial design phases into advanced testing and capitalization, focusing on fuel cell technology to replace conventional combustion engines on short-haul airframes. This transition is accelerating as companies secure substantial capital to industrialize propulsion systems that eliminate in-flight carbon output while maintaining the operational range required for utility missions. According to Flight Global, December 2025, in the article 'ZeroAvia secures immediate future with latest funding round', the propulsion developer raised $150 million in Series D funding to scale its hydrogen-electric engine programs for commercial certification.

The Acceleration of Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions represents a parallel shift, optimizing the lifecycle of aging turboprop fleets to support the rapid decentralization of global logistics networks. As e-commerce expands into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, operators are increasingly repurposing passenger aircraft into dedicated cargo platforms capable of navigating smaller regional airports that lack the infrastructure for larger jet freighters. This trend is creating a sustained secondary market for durable airframes, extending their revenue-generating lifespan and addressing the critical shortage of feeder capacity. According to Embraer, June 2025, in the 'Market Outlook 2025', the manufacturer forecasts that 600 sub-20-ton payload freighter aircraft will be delivered over the next 20 years to satisfy this specific demand for regional cargo mobility.

Segmental Insights

The Commercial Aviation segment is currently the fastest-growing category in the Global Turboprop Aircraft Market, driven primarily by the escalating demand for cost-effective regional connectivity. Airlines are increasingly prioritizing modern turboprop aircraft for short-haul routes because they offer superior fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to regional jets. Furthermore, these aircraft possess the essential capability to operate from shorter runways and airports with limited infrastructure, making them indispensable for connecting remote and underserved communities. This expansion is largely supported by rising passenger traffic in emerging economies, prompting carriers to modernize fleets and establish new domestic routes efficiently.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global turboprop aircraft market, driven by a mature general aviation sector and extensive regional air connectivity requirements. The United States and Canada rely heavily on these aircraft for short-distance passenger travel and essential cargo logistics between smaller communities and major transport hubs. This demand is supported by the presence of key manufacturers and a robust aftermarket service network. Additionally, strict oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration ensures continuous fleet modernization and operational safety, fostering a stable environment for ongoing procurement and replacement of turboprop assets across the continent.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, ATR announced a strategic collaboration with JSX, a United States-based public charter carrier, to introduce its aircraft to a new regional market segment. The partnership included a letter of intent for the acquisition of up to twenty-five aircraft equipped with a premium cabin configuration. This initiative marked the manufacturer's significant re-entry into the United States passenger market, leveraging the efficiency of its turboprop platforms to serve regional routes. The deal highlighted the expanding demand for comfortable, low-emission air travel solutions within the competitive global turboprop aircraft market.
• In May 2025, Deutsche Aircraft achieved a major research and development breakthrough by rolling out the first test aircraft for its D328eco program. Unveiled at the company's headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, this prototype represented a critical step toward the certification of the sustainable regional turboprop. The aircraft is designed to offer significantly improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, aligning with industry goals for greener aviation. This milestone in the development phase demonstrated the company's commitment to delivering advanced, eco-friendly solutions to the global turboprop aircraft market and revitalizing regional air connectivity.
• In October 2024, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited celebrated a significant collaborative milestone by finalizing contract negotiations with the European Union for the supply of new aerial firefighting aircraft. The agreement involved the production of twenty-two DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft to support the rescEU fleet, with orders confirmed from nations including Greece, Croatia, and Portugal. This partnership underscored the critical importance of specialized turboprop aircraft in global emergency response strategies. The company emphasized that this event marked the commencement of high-gear production, securing a robust future for this essential segment of the turboprop aircraft market.
• In July 2024, Textron Aviation unveiled a special variant of its iconic twin-engine turboprop to commemorate the aircraft family's sixtieth anniversary. Introduced during the EAA AirVenture, the Crimson Edition of the Beechcraft King Air featured a distinctive interior and a vibrant red and silver exterior paint scheme. The company announced that this limited-edition model would be available for delivery commencing in 2025. This product launch highlighted the enduring legacy and continuous evolution of the King Air series in the global turboprop aircraft market, effectively combining modern luxury upgrades with the aircraft's proven operational capabilities.

Key Market Players

• Avions de Transport Régional GIE
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Textron Aviation Inc.
• Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
• Airbus SE
• Embraer S.A.
• De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
• DAHER
• Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.a.
• Piper Aircraft, Inc

By Application	By Region
Commercial Aviation Military Aviation General Aviation	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Turboprop Aircraft Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Turboprop Aircraft Market, By Application:

• Commercial Aviation
• Military Aviation
• General Aviation

• Turboprop Aircraft Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE