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Grounded: Characterising the market exit of European low cost airlines

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  • Budd, Lucy
  • Francis, Graham
  • Humphreys, Ian
  • Ison, Stephen

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive study of low cost carrier (LCC) market entry and exit in Europe between 1992 and 2012. In the 20 year period between 1992 and 2012, 43 LCCs have taken advantage of the progressive liberalisation of the European aviation market and commenced scheduled flight operations within the continent. Of these 43, only 10 remain operational, a failure rate of 77%. This paper contributes to extant literature on LCCs by examining the market entry, business practices, operating longevity and fate of failed operators to characterise European LCC market exit. Drawing on the findings of a detailed continental-wide study, the paper identifies that an airline's start-up date, the nature and size of its operation and the size and composition of its aircraft fleet are key factors which influence LCC success and failure. The implications for both European and emerging LCC markets are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Budd, Lucy & Francis, Graham & Humphreys, Ian & Ison, Stephen, 2014. "Grounded: Characterising the market exit of European low cost airlines," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 78-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:34:y:2014:i:c:p:78-85
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2013.08.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Pearson, James & O'Connell, John F. & Pitfield, David & Ryley, Tim, 2015. "The strategic capability of Asian network airlines to compete with low-cost carriers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 1-10.
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    6. Dudás, Gábor & Boros, Lajos & Pál, Viktor & Pernyész, Péter, 2016. "Analysis of the lowest airfares considering the different business models of airlines, the case of Budapest," MPRA Paper 74502, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Halpern, Nigel & Graham, Anne, 2015. "Airport route development: A survey of current practice," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 213-221.
    8. William O’Brochta, 2017. "International tourism’s impact on regional autonomy," Tourism Economics, , vol. 23(8), pages 1632-1661, December.
    9. Klein, Klemens & Albers, Sascha & Allroggen, Florian & Malina, Robert, 2015. "Serving vs. settling: What drives the establishment of low-cost carriers’ foreign bases?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 17-30.
    10. Allroggen, Florian & Wittman, Michael D. & Malina, Robert, 2015. "How air transport connects the world – A new metric of air connectivity and its evolution between 1990 and 2012," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 184-201.
    11. Lin, Hsiu-Fen & Huang, Yi-Wen, 2015. "Using analytic network process to measure the determinants of low cost carriers purchase intentions: A comparison of potential and current customers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 9-16.
    12. Wu, Chuntao, 2016. "How aviation deregulation promotes international tourism in Northeast Asia: A case of the charter market in Japan," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 260-271.
    13. Pels, Eric, 2021. "Optimality of the hub-spoke system: A review of the literature, and directions for future research," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-10.
    14. Jimenez, Edgar & Suau-Sanchez, Pere, 2020. "Reinterpreting the role of primary and secondary airports in low-cost carrier expansion in Europe," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    15. Frédéric Dobruszkes & Jiaoe Wang, 2019. "Developing a low-cost airline in a semi-protected regime: Comparing China to Europe and the US," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/286424, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    16. Chiambaretto, Paul & Combe, Emmanuel, 2023. "Business model hybridization but heterogeneous economic performance: Insights from low-cost and legacy carriers in Europe," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 83-97.
    17. Burghouwt, Guillaume & de Wit, Jaap G., 2015. "In the wake of liberalisation: long-term developments in the EU air transport market," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 104-113.
    18. Jacques Charlier & Frédéric Dobruszkes, 2020. "Between external forces and internal factors: The geography of domestic airline services in South Africa," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/309837, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.

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