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Corporate capital structure in turbulent times: a case study of the US airline industry

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  • Guzhva, Vitaly S
  • Pagiavlas, Notis

Abstract

The paper examines airline performances focusing on the capital structure expressed as liabilities/assets ratio for current- and long-term liabilities. It is found that most airlines do not follow the traditional finance management practice of lowering liabilities during lean times and increasing them during economic upturns. Only Southwest Airlines illustrates finance management of this type, with positive effects on its performance. In addition, it is found that among all airlines, levels of current liabilities are properly adjusted for movements of interest rates. However, this practice is not extended to long-terms liabilities, where only Southwest manifested proper adjustments. Finally, return on assets has a negative influence on current liabilities for other airlines, suggesting a risky practice of increasing liabilities when asset profitability is reduced and symmetrically, not taking advantage of market opportunities by increasing liabilities when operations are profitable.

Suggested Citation

  • Guzhva, Vitaly S & Pagiavlas, Notis, 2003. "Corporate capital structure in turbulent times: a case study of the US airline industry," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 9(6), pages 371-379.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:9:y:2003:i:6:p:371-379
    DOI: 10.1016/S0969-6997(03)00020-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Kasım Kiracı & Nurhan Aydin, 2018. "Factors that Determine the Capital Structure: An Empirical Study on Low-cost Airlines," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business (continues Analele Stiintifice), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 65(3), pages 227-246, September.
    3. Paul Tae-Woo Lee & Cheng-Wei Lin & Yi-Shih Chung, 2014. "Comparison analysis for subjective and objective weights of financial positions of container shipping companies," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(3), pages 241-250, May.
    4. Pires, Heloisa Márcia & Fernandes, Elton, 2012. "Malmquist financial efficiency analysis for airlines," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(5), pages 1049-1055.
    5. Nicolau, Juan Luis & Santa-María, María Jesús, 2012. "Effect of innovation on airlines' operating leverage: A Spanish case study," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 44-46.

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