In 1995, airlines operating their own maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) complexes viewed them as a source of pride; low cost carriers were few, and maintenance outsourcing was in a start-up phase. At the same time, nobody could have anticipated Sept. 11, and how that, along with a worldwide economic downturn, would profoundly change the airline business and the MRO industry.
As regional jets push more turboprops out of the passenger carrying business, newer generation turboprops are becoming more affordable for the historically low-margin air cargo business and thus are finding a future flying freight.
