An introduction to airline economics

Abstract

This book is an introduction to the economics of the airline services of the United States, both domestic and international, and is geared to the reader whose need is for a simple, yet college-level, text. Remarkable changes continue in the airline industry since the fourth edition was published in 1989 and due to the deregulation movement of the mid-1970s. The industry witnessed a series of mergers and a general trend toward consolidation into fewer but larger airlines. Chapters 1 and 2 are introductory, addressing public interest, governmental goals, and foreign countries' objectives. Chapter 3 covers entry of airlines into and exit from markets. Chapter 4 analyzes airline costs. Chapter 5 discusses demand for airline services. Chapter 6 reports on airline rates. Chapter 7 concerns air cargo and chapter 8 analyzes current problems, such as airports, fuel prices, and the trend toward concentration. Each chapter contains essay type, self-testing questions for students to check their progress or for instructors to use as take-home tests.