IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jaitra/v73y2018icp87-94.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The evolution of low-cost Carrier operational strategies pre- and post-recession

Author

Listed:
  • Atallah, Stephanie
  • Hotle, Susan L.
  • Mumbower, Stacey

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of low-cost carrier (LCC) competition strategies for Continental US (CONUS) domestic markets. Using OAG schedule data from 2005 to 2015, pre- and post-recession trends in LCC flight offerings were analyzed and compared with their major carrier counterparts in terms of number of markets served, flight frequency, and competition structures of served markets. Results show that LCCs are increasing the number of markets served to/from large airports and are entering highly-competitive markets. The results further suggest that LCCs and major carrier strategies evolved differently during the study period, where LCCs outpaced major carriers in terms of markets entered while major carriers have gained a greater flight frequency share in the markets they already serve. Results clearly indicate that overall LCCs are still growing in terms of O-D markets served and increasing competition with major carriers. However, evidence suggests that each of the top four LCCs adopted different operating strategies as part of their business model during the study period.

Suggested Citation

  • Atallah, Stephanie & Hotle, Susan L. & Mumbower, Stacey, 2018. "The evolution of low-cost Carrier operational strategies pre- and post-recession," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 87-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:73:y:2018:i:c:p:87-94
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2018.08.011
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969699718301777
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2018.08.011?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. de Wit, Jaap G. & Zuidberg, Joost, 2012. "The growth limits of the low cost carrier model," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 17-23.
    2. Frédéric Dobruszkes & Moshe Givoni & Timothy Vowles, 2017. "Hello major airports, goodbye regional airports? Recent changes in European and US low-cost airline airport choice," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/239911, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Zhang, Shengrun & Derudder, Ben & Fuellhart, Kurt & Witlox, Frank, 2018. "Carriers’ entry patterns under EU-US open skies agreement," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 101-112.
    4. Morrell, Peter, 2005. "Airlines within airlines: An analysis of US network airline responses to Low Cost Carriers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 11(5), pages 303-312.
    5. Robert M. Emrich & Frederick H. deB. Harris, 2008. "Share shift and airport substitution in origin-destination markets with low-cost entrants," International Journal of Revenue Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(2), pages 109-122.
    6. 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.
    7. Harumi Ito & Darin Lee, 2003. "Low Cost Carrier Growth in the U.S. Airline Industry: Past, Present, and Future," Working Papers 2003-12, Brown University, Department of Economics.
    8. Reynolds-Feighan, Aisling, 2001. "Traffic distribution in low-cost and full-service carrier networks in the US air transportation market," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 7(5), pages 265-275.
    9. Dobruszkes, Frédéric & Givoni, Moshe & Vowles, Timothy, 2017. "Hello major airports, goodbye regional airports? Recent changes in European and US low-cost airline airport choice," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 50-62.
    10. Pearson, James & Merkert, Rico, 2014. "Airlines-within-airlines: A business model moving East," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 21-26.
    11. Franke, Markus & John, Florian, 2011. "What comes next after recession? – Airline industry scenarios and potential end games," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 19-26.
    12. Vowles, Timothy M., 2001. "The “Southwest Effect†in multi-airport regions," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 7(4), pages 251-258.
    13. Ben Abda, Mehdi & Belobaba, Peter P. & Swelbar, William S., 2012. "Impacts of LCC growth on domestic traffic and fares at largest US airports," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 21-25.
    14. Garrow, Laurie A. & Hotle, Susan & Mumbower, Stacey, 2012. "Assessment of product debundling trends in the US airline industry: Customer service and public policy implications," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 255-268.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Oliveira, Bruno F. & Oliveira, Alessandro V.M., 2022. "An empirical analysis of the determinants of network construction for Azul Airlines," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Jaffar Abbas & Jaffar Aman & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Shaher Bano, 2019. "The Impact of Social Media on Learning Behavior for Sustainable Education: Evidence of Students from Selected Universities in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Albers, Sascha & Daft, Jost & Stabenow, Sebastian & Rundshagen, Volker, 2020. "The long-haul low-cost airline business model: A disruptive innovation perspective," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    4. B. F. Oliveira & A. V. M Oliveira, 2023. "An empirical analysis of the determinants of network construction for Azul Airlines," Papers 2312.05630, arXiv.org.
    5. Ko, Young Dae & Kwag, Sung Il & Oh, Yonghui, 2020. "An efficient airline seat reallocation algorithm considering customer dissatisfaction," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Oliveira, Bruno F. & Oliveira, Alessandro V.M., 2022. "An empirical analysis of the determinants of network construction for Azul Airlines," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Wong, Wai-Hung & Zhang, Anming & Cheung, Tommy King-Yin & Chu, Jeremy, 2019. "Examination of low-cost carriers' development at secondary airports using a comprehensive world airport classification," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 96-105.
    3. Cho, Woohyun & Min, Dong-Jun, 2018. "Longitudinal examination of passenger characteristics among airline types in the US," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 11-19.
    4. Klophaus, Richard & Yu, Chunyan, 2023. "Short-haul airline services in Europe and North America - A cross-business model and cross-continental analysis," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    5. O'Connell, John F. & Avellana, Raquel Martinez & Warnock-Smith, David & Efthymiou, Marina, 2020. "Evaluating drivers of profitability for airlines in Latin America: A case study of Copa Airlines," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    6. Zuidberg, Joost, 2019. "Network geographies and financial performances in low-cost carrier versus network carrier competition: The case of Norwegian versus SAS," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Ferrer-Rosell, Berta & Coenders, GermÃ, 2017. "Airline type and tourist expenditure: Are full service and low cost carriers converging or diverging?," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 119-125.
    8. Hu, Yue & Dai, Liang & Fuellhart, Kurt & Witlox, Frank, 2024. "Examining competition among airline regarding route portfolios at domestic hubs under government regulation: The case of China's aviation market," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    9. 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.
    10. B. F. Oliveira & A. V. M Oliveira, 2023. "An empirical analysis of the determinants of network construction for Azul Airlines," Papers 2312.05630, arXiv.org.
    11. Magdalina, Ana & Bouzaima, Martin, 2021. "An empirical investigation of European airline business models: Classification and hybridisation," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Camelia Monica Gheorghe & Dorin Ivascu & Mihai Sebea & Cristina Stoenescu, 2017. "Exploring The Role Of Alliances, Agreements And Partnerships In The Airline Industry; The Case Of Apg Network Within The Romanian Market," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 161-168, August.
    13. Azadian, Farshid & Vasigh, Bijan, 2019. "The blurring lines between full-service network carriers and low-cost carriers: A financial perspective on business model convergence," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 19-26.
    14. Albers, Sascha & Daft, Jost & Stabenow, Sebastian & Rundshagen, Volker, 2020. "The long-haul low-cost airline business model: A disruptive innovation perspective," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    15. Bettini, Humberto F.A.J. & Silveira, José Maria F.J. & Oliveira, Alessandro V.M., 2018. "Estimating strategic responses to the march of a low cost carrier to primary airports," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 190-204.
    16. Wong, W.H. & Cheung, Tommy & Zhang, Anming & Wang, Yue, 2019. "Is spatial dispersal the dominant trend in air transport development? A global analysis for 2006–2015," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1-12.
    17. 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).
    18. Stoenescu Cristina & Gheorghe Camelia Monica, 2017. "Hybrid” airlines – Generating value between low-cost and traditional," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 577-587, July.
    19. Bogdan AVRAM, 2017. "The Hybrid Airline Model. Generating Quality for Passengers," Expert Journal of Business and Management, Sprint Investify, vol. 5(2), pages 149-154.
    20. Jimenez, Edgar & Claro, João & Pinho de Sousa, Jorge & de Neufville, Richard, 2017. "Dynamic evolution of European airport systems in the context of Low-Cost Carriers growth," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(PA), pages 68-76.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:73:y:2018:i:c:p:87-94. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-air-transport-management/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.