A comparison of the environmental impact of turboprop and turbofan-powered aircraft

PurposeThis study aims to examine turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft, with the same seating capacity flying on the same route and trajectory, and investigate their environmental effects. Design/methodology/approachThe integrated aircraft noise and emissions modeling platform developed by EUROCONTROL is used for the calculation of fuel burn, CO2, H2O and other gas emissions (NOx, SOx, CO, HC, soot and other trace compounds) for the per phase of flight. FindingsThe striking findings are that turboprop-powered aircraft offer lower required thrust, fuel consumption and total emissions for a short-haul flight, but turbofan-powered aircraft have lower particulate matter, CO and HC emissions than turboprop-powered aircraft. This study suggests that turboprop-powered aircraft are superior to turbofan-powered aircraft in terms of environmental impact for a short-haul flight. Practical implicationsThe current research conducts comprehensively fuel consumption and amounts of emissions aspects of turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft for sustainable development of airlines by a versatile simulation approach and sheds light on airlines intending to create fleets. Originality/valueThe research offers a systematic aircraft selection for investigators, scientists, airline operators, policy analysts and legislators, by a comprehensive computer simulation method that acknowledges consistently the fuel consumption and detailed emissions analysis of turboprop- and turbofan-powered aircraft.