Jaap de Wit

Competitive Position of Primary Airports in the Asia-Pacific Rim

This paper measures and compares the network performance and hub competitive position of primary airports in the Asia-Pacific rim, taking into account the quantity and quality of both direct and indirect connections. The results reveal that Tokyo has the best network performance and hub competitive position. The most striking growth of network development is found at Chinese airports, while network performance deteriorates at Oceanian airports. Finally, the results show that the position of Oneworld and Star Alliance is stronger in this region, whereas SkyTeam has an innegligible position especially at Japanese airports, owing to the fifth and sixth freedom rights.

AN URGE TO MERGE

This article examines recent market behaviour of EU airlines. After a short descrip- tion of the EU liberalization process the article continues to analyze the network related cost characteristics of airlines in the deregulated U.S. domestic market. Network economies have been a decisive factor in market concentration and compe- tition. The article concludes that during the first years after the liberalization neither fares nor frequencies reflect an intensified competition in the internal market. Different developments in network restructuring of EU airlines are described, indicating the first steps towards market concentration.