The strategic evolution of Aer Lingus from a full-service airline to a low-cost carrier and finally positioning itself into a value hybrid airline

Aer Lingus has been an unique airline as it transitioned from a full-service airline to a low-cost carrier and is currently positioned as a value hybrid airline. It has coexisted with Ryanair for decades and it encountered three imminent periods where bankruptcy prevailed from 1993 to 2009. The research aims to uncover the various strategies that were applied to structurally re-engineer the carrier in order to adapt to its evolving competitive landscape. The key pillars underpinning Aer Lingus’ turnaround as a value hybrid were as follows: strict adherence to capacity discipline; relentless cost control and value-adding, consumer-driven product differentiation; innovative partnerships including contract flying to alleviate its problematic seasonality issues inherent in Aer Lingus markets; and by re-engineering its Dublin-based hub airport. A visionary master plan for the hub was fabricated to capitalize on Ireland’s geographical positioning which targeted the traffic flows between UK/European and North American destinations through its synchronized connection network at Dublin

Does privatization spur regulation?Evidence from the regulatory reform of European airports

This paper conducts an empirical analysis of the relationship between privatization and regulation drawing on data from a wide sample of European airports. We find that privatization promotes a shift from basic regulation to a situation of more detailed or non-regulation, depending on the specific characteristics of the privatization process and on the type of airport being privatized. Moreover, we report a significant association between high traffic volumes and more detailed regulation. By contrast, airports where slot allocation is noncoordinated are significantly associated with non-regulation.Privatization; regulation; air transportation; airports JEL classification: L33; L42; L93;

Dynamics in the European Air Transport Network, 2003-9 : an explanatory framework drawing on stochastic actor-based modeling

In this paper, we outline and test an explanatory framework drawing on stochastic actor-based modeling to understand changes in the outline of European air transport networks between 2003 and 2009. Stochastic actor-based models show their capabilities to estimate and test the effect of exogenous and endogenous drivers on network changes in this application to the air transport network. Our results reveal that endogenous structural effects, such as transitivity triads, indirect relations and betweenness effects impact the development of the European air transport network in the period under investigation. In addition, exogenous nodal and dyadic covariates also play a role, with above all the enlargement of the European Common Aviation Area having benefitted its new members to open more air routes between them. The emergence of major low-cost airline-focused airports also significantly contributed to these changes. We conclude by outlining some avenues for further research

Airport slot allocation

--

Airport economic regulation and capital investment: lessons from the United Kingdom experience

ICCSAI´s annual Fact Book is a bianually updated and synthetic reference document on competition in the air transport industry of Europe. Special attention is given to the Italian context, although these data are discussed from an international perspective. This work is addressed to all players in the air transport industry. It presents detailed information on demand, supply, industry structure, and regulation policies. Moreover, we draw broad conclusions from these data and identify key questions for future research. We endeavor to approach topics debated in the literature from the standpoint of those who work in the air transport industry as operators or policy makers

Proposal For A Market-Based Solution to Airport Delays

With the clamor rising over airport delays and with both the Congress and the Administration considering remedies, this paper advocates the use of market mechanisms, specifically slot auctions, to promote efficient usage of airport capacity, reduce airport delays, and, more generally, promote competition.

Location and product bundling in the provision of WiFi networks

WiFi promises to revolutionise how and where we access the internet. As WiFi networks are rolled out around the globe, access to the internet will no longer be through fixed networks or unsatisfactory mobile phone connections. Instead access will be through low cost wireless networks at speeds of up to 11Mbps. It is hard not to be impressed by the enthusiasm with which WiFi has been embraced. GREEN, ROSENBUSH, CROKETT and HOLMES (2003) assert that WiFi is a disruptive technology akin to telephones in the 1920s and network computers in the 1990s. WiFi is seen as both an opportunity in its own right, as well as an enabler of opportunities for others. Computer manufacturers are hoping that WiFi will increases sales of their laptops, whilst Microsoft feels that WiFi will result in users upgrading their operating systems to Windows XP. This paper seeks to understand why three companies have sought to provide WiFi