The airline industry is fundamental to the workings of the global
economy. Yet, ironically for an industry of such sheer scale and
economic muscle, profit margins are razor thin and many airlines
struggle to break even. The precarious economics of the sector were
fully revealed when Covid-19 grounded flights across the world prompting
many national carriers to seek government bailouts, while smaller
airlines collapsed.
In this updated and expanded new edition Volodymyr Bilotkach explains
the economic realities of the airline industry and the challenges that
the sector now faces after the seismic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The impact of such a large-scale external shock on the industry is
considered across each of its sectors and for each of its primary
economic determinants. The book also includes new material on changes to
cost structures, the pricing of add-on services, cargo, airport slot
allocation and the impact of climate change.
The book remains a comprehensive introduction to the economics of
airlines, how carriers compete, how they develop their business, and how
demand and cost structure, coupled with the complex regulatory regime,
produces the industry we see today.