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Can long-haul low-cost airlines be successful?

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  • Morrell, Peter

Abstract

A key question is whether the very successful, largely short-haul LCC business model can work over long-haul sectors? This paper compares the cost and other advantages of LCCs and evaluates how far they might be applied to long-haul sectors. It is estimated that cost advantages might be much lower than the 50-60% on short-hauls. Other factors such as the adoption by network airlines of some LCC features and their likely competitive response, the limited potential for market stimulation, the need for dense markets and feed traffic all combine to cast doubt on the widespread establishment of the business model for long-haul flights.

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  • Morrell, Peter, 2008. "Can long-haul low-cost airlines be successful?," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 61-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:24:y:2008:i:1:p:61-67
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    1. 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.
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    16. Kuljanin, Jovana & Kalić, Milica & Begović, Boris & Mijović, Nemanja & Renold, Manuel, 2021. "The effect of LCC market entry on dominant FSC's price into long haul sector: A case of Norwegian competition on British Airways' prices on selected transatlantic routes," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    17. 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.
    18. Hunt, Jennifer & Truong, Dothang, 2019. "Low-fare flights across the Atlantic: Impact of low-cost, long-haul trans-Atlantic flights on passenger choice of Carrier," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 170-184.
    19. Sun, Xiaoqian & Wandelt, Sebastian & Zhang, Anming, 2022. "STARTUPS: Founding airlines during COVID-19 - A hopeless endeavor or an ample opportunity for a better aviation system?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 10-19.
    20. Dobruszkes, Frédéric, 2013. "The geography of European low-cost airline networks: a contemporary analysis," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 75-88.
    21. Wilken, Dieter & Berster, Peter & Gelhausen, Marc C., 2016. "Analysis of demand structures on intercontinental routes to and from Europe with a view to identifying potential for new low-cost services," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 56(PB), pages 79-90.
    22. Morlotti, Chiara & Birolini, Sebastian & Cattaneo, Mattia & Redondi, Renato, 2020. "Introducing connecting flights in LCCs' business model: Ryanair's network strategy," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    23. 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).

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