Comparative analysis of regional airline industry in Europe and North America and some insight into current developments

Dennis, N., Smyth, A. and Stevens, K. 2008. Comparative analysis of regional airline industry in Europe and North America and some insight into current developments. Transportation Research Record. 2052, pp. 118-125. https://doi.org/10.3141/2052-14

TitleComparative analysis of regional airline industry in Europe and North America and some insight into current developments
AuthorsDennis, N., Smyth, A. and Stevens, K.
Abstract

This paper compares the regional airline industry in Europe and North America and through a combination of data analysis and case-studies investigates some of the current changes that are taking place. North American regionals are shown to have longer stage lengths, lower unit costs and higher load factors than their European counterparts. Turbo-props remain popular in Europe but 50 seat jets dominate in the United States. The bankruptcy of most US legacy carriers has led to renegotiation of contracts for regional flying, with prices being driven down. European regionals face different problems with rail competition, capacity constraints at hub airports and incursion by low-cost airlines. The differences in the cost structures of BA Connect, British Airways' former regional arm and flybe, operating a new hybrid format, are interpreted and it is shown that flybe has much lower labour costs. A number of alternative business models are then discussed. In the US the most popular is the sale of capacity to the majors, whereas in Europe many operate on a quasi-independent franchise basis. It is concluded that European regionals require more action to reduce costs while US regionals will increasingly have to take more of the risk from their major carrier partners. A renewed enthusiasm for turbo-props on short sectors is becoming apparent, while the European markets in particular are likely to see a shift to larger aircraft at lower frequency. This puts at risk the schedule convenience and network connections valued by business passengers.

JournalTransportation Research Record
Journal citation2052, pp. 118-125
ISSN0361-1981
Year2008
PublisherU.S. National Research Council, Transportation Research Board
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3141/2052-14
Publication dates
Published2008

Related outputs

Impact of Airport Capacity Constraints on Air Service Provision
Dennis, N. 2022. Impact of Airport Capacity Constraints on Air Service Provision. 50th European Transport Conference. Bovisa Campus of Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy 07 - 09 Sep 2022 Association for European Transport.

Towards A Short to Medium Term Mitigation Strategy to Address the External Air and Sea Connectivity Challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic for Northern Ireland
Smyth, A., Dennis, N. and O’Reilly, M. 2021. Towards A Short to Medium Term Mitigation Strategy to Address the External Air and Sea Connectivity Challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic for Northern Ireland. Annual European Transport Conference 2021. Virtual 13 - 15 Sep 2021 Association for European Transport.

Airline schedule and network competitiveness: A consumer-centric approach for business travel
Nenum, S., Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2020. Airline schedule and network competitiveness: A consumer-centric approach for business travel. Annals of Tourism Research . 80, p. 102822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2019.102822

Pondhopping: Changes in Airline Competition and Service Patterns on the North Atlantic
Dennis, N. and Pitfield, D. 2018. Pondhopping: Changes in Airline Competition and Service Patterns on the North Atlantic. European Transport Conference 2018. Dublin Castle, Ireland 10 - 12 Oct 2018 Association for European Transport.

A tale of two cities: The impact of airline mergers and consolidation at London and New York
Dennis, N. and Pitfield, D.E. 2018. A tale of two cities: The impact of airline mergers and consolidation at London and New York. Transportation Research Record. 2672 (23), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198118758336

A Tale of Two Cities: The Impact of Airline Mergers and Consolidation at London and New York
Dennis, N. and Pitfield, D. 2018. A Tale of Two Cities: The Impact of Airline Mergers and Consolidation at London and New York. TRB Annual Meeting. Washington DC 07 - 11 Jan 2018

UK Regional Connectivity on the North Atlantic: Hub-Bypassing or just changing hubs?
Kremarik, F., Dennis, N. and Graham, A. 2017. UK Regional Connectivity on the North Atlantic: Hub-Bypassing or just changing hubs? 21st ATRS World Conference. Antwerp, Belgium 05 - 08 Jul 2017 ATRS.

Understanding Consumer Preferences with Airline Scheduling
Graham, A., Dennis, N. and Nenum, S. 2016. Understanding Consumer Preferences with Airline Scheduling. Air Transport Research Society Annual Conference. Rhodes 23 - 26 Jun 2016

Low cost carriers and the changing fortunes of airports in the UK
Halpern, N., Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2016. Low cost carriers and the changing fortunes of airports in the UK. Research in Transportation Business and Management. 21, pp. 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2016.05.002

Long Term Traffic Forecasts and Operating Pattern for a Regional Airport
Dennis, N. 2014. Long Term Traffic Forecasts and Operating Pattern for a Regional Airport. Air Transport Research Society World Conference. Bordeaux 17 - 20 Jul 2014 Air Transport Research Society.

Optimizing Consumer Preference in Airline Scheduling
Nenum, S., Dennis, N. and Graham, A. 2014. Optimizing Consumer Preference in Airline Scheduling. 18th Annual World Conference of the Air Transport Research Society. KEDGE Business School, Bordeaux, France 17 Jul 2014

Strategies of Major Carriers Away from their Main Hub Airports: A Comparison of the European and US Experience
Dennis, N. and Stevens, K. 2013. Strategies of Major Carriers Away from their Main Hub Airports: A Comparison of the European and US Experience. Air Transport Research Society World Conference. Bergamo 26 - 29 Jun 2013 Air Transport Research Society.

The Traffic and Financial Performance of UK Regional Airports 2003-2013
Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2013. The Traffic and Financial Performance of UK Regional Airports 2003-2013 . Air Transport Research Society Annual World Conference. Bergamo 27 Jun 2013

A Method for Developing a Consumer Preference Centric Airline Schedule Quality Metric
Nenum, S., Dennis, N. and Graham, A. 2013. A Method for Developing a Consumer Preference Centric Airline Schedule Quality Metric. Air Transport Research Society Annual World Conference. Bergamo 27 Jun 2013

The impact of low-cost airline operations to Malta
Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2010. The impact of low-cost airline operations to Malta. Journal of Air Transport Management. 16 (3), pp. 127-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2009.07.006

Old conflicts, new rivals? Airline competition in the European market
Dennis, N. 2010. Old conflicts, new rivals? Airline competition in the European market. European Transport Conference 2010. Glasgow 11 - 13 October, 2010

Airline trends in Europe: network consolidation and the mainstreaming of low-cost strategies
Dennis, N. 2009. Airline trends in Europe: network consolidation and the mainstreaming of low-cost strategies. in: Gossling, S. and Upham, P. (ed.) Climate change and aviation: issues, challenges and solutions London Earthscan. pp. 151-176

Increasing school choice: sustainability paradox
Kelleher, L. and Smyth, A. 2008. Increasing school choice: sustainability paradox. Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting. Washington DC 13 - 17 Jan 2008

The impact of low cost airline operations to Malta
Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2008. The impact of low cost airline operations to Malta. 48th Congress of the European Regional Science Association. Liverpool, UK 27 - 31 August 2008

Development of new services from regional airports
Dennis, N. 2008. Development of new services from regional airports. in: Lupi, M. (ed.) Methods and models for planning the development of regional airport systems Milan FrancoAngeli. pp. 29-46

Competition and change in the long-haul markets of Europe
Dennis, N. 2007. Competition and change in the long-haul markets of Europe. Journal of Air Transportation. 12 (2), pp. 4-26.

End of the free lunch? The responses of traditional European airlines to the low-cost carrier threat
Dennis, N. 2007. End of the free lunch? The responses of traditional European airlines to the low-cost carrier threat. Journal of Air Transport Management. 13 (5), pp. 311-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2007.04.005

Airport traffic and financial performance: a UK & Ireland case study
Graham, A. and Dennis, N. 2007. Airport traffic and financial performance: a UK & Ireland case study. Journal of Transport Geography. 15 (3), pp. 161-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2006.05.001

The transferability of the low-cost model to long-haul airline operations
Francis, G., Dennis, N., Ison, S. and Humphreys, I. 2007. The transferability of the low-cost model to long-haul airline operations. Tourism Management. 28 (2), pp. 391-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.04.014

The future of European air transport operations
Dennis, N. 2007. The future of European air transport operations. in: Dennis, N. (ed.) European air traffic management: principles, practice, and research Aldershot Ashgate. pp. 151-180

Stimulation or saturation? Perspectives on European low-cost airline market and prospects for growth
Dennis, N. 2007. Stimulation or saturation? Perspectives on European low-cost airline market and prospects for growth. Transportation Research Record. 2007, pp. 52-59. https://doi.org/10.3141/2007-07

VANTAGE Phase 1, Traffic Flow Model
Cook, A.J., Tanner, G. and Dennis, N. 2007. VANTAGE Phase 1, Traffic Flow Model. University of Westminster. https://doi.org/BERRProjectNo:TP/3/DSM/6/I/15530;DeliverableVANTAGE-UOW-4220-DD-08

Business-to-business electronic marketplaces in the airline industry: tool for enhanced efficiency in a volatile business
Smyth, A. and Wagner, C.M. 2006. Business-to-business electronic marketplaces in the airline industry: tool for enhanced efficiency in a volatile business. in: Airlines, airports, and airspace: economic and infrastructure analysis Washington DC, USA Transportation Research Board.

B2B e-marketplaces in the airline industry: process drivers and performance indicators
Wagner, C.M., Huber, B., Sweeney, E. and Smyth, A. 2005. B2B e-marketplaces in the airline industry: process drivers and performance indicators. International Journal of Logistics. 8 (4), pp. 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675560500407390

Integrating land-use planning and transportation in Belfast: a new policy agenda for sustainable development?
McEldowney, M., Ryley, T., Scott, M. and Smyth, A. 2005. Integrating land-use planning and transportation in Belfast: a new policy agenda for sustainable development? Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 48 (4), pp. 507-526. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640560500128418

Industry consolidation and future airline network structures in Europe
Dennis, N. 2005. Industry consolidation and future airline network structures in Europe. Journal of Air Transport Management. 11 (3), pp. 175-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2004.07.004

E-procurement in the aviation industry: value creation potential of B2B e-marketplaces
Wagner, C.M., Huber, B., Sweeney, E. and Smyth, A. 2005. E-procurement in the aviation industry: value creation potential of B2B e-marketplaces. Transport Europe / Trasporti Europei: Quarterly Journal of Transport Law, Economics and Engineering. 24, pp. 24-30.

Competition and regulation: substitutes of complements?
Smyth, A. 2005. Competition and regulation: substitutes of complements? in: 50 years of transport research: experience gained and major challenges ahead: 16th International Symposium on Theory and Practice in Transport Economics: Budapest, 29-31 October 2003: introductory reports and summary of discussions Paris, France European Conference of Ministers of Transport. pp. 287-332

Urban form reducing the demand for car travel: towards an integrated policy agenda for the Belfast Metropolitan area?
McEldowney, M., Ryley, T., Scott, M. and Smyth, A. 2005. Urban form reducing the demand for car travel: towards an integrated policy agenda for the Belfast Metropolitan area? in: Moore, N. and Scott, M. (ed.) Renewing urban communities: environment, citizenship, and sustainability in Ireland Aldershot, UK Ashgate. pp. 75-93

The future of long-haul air services from Europe
Dennis, N. 2004. The future of long-haul air services from Europe. in: European Transport Conference (ETC 2004) Association for European Transport.

Running out of steam? The growth prospects for European low-cost airlines
Dennis, N. 2004. Running out of steam? The growth prospects for European low-cost airlines. 2004 Air Transport Research Society World Conference. Istanbul, Turkey 01-03 July 2004

Can the European low-cost airline boom continue? Implications for regional airports
Dennis, N. 2004. Can the European low-cost airline boom continue? Implications for regional airports. 44th European Congress of the European Regional Science Association. Porto, Portugal 25-29 Aug 2004

Boom or bust? The future of the low-cost airlines in Europe
Dennis, N. 2003. Boom or bust? The future of the low-cost airlines in Europe. in: Annual European Transport Conference (ETC 2003) UNKNOWN.

Long-term route traffic forecasts and flight schedule pattern for a medium-sized European airport
Dennis, N. 2002. Long-term route traffic forecasts and flight schedule pattern for a medium-sized European airport. Journal of Air Transport Management. 8 (5), pp. 313-324. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-6997(02)00012-1

The crisis in air transport and the future structure of European airlines and airports
Dennis, N. and Graham, A. 2002. The crisis in air transport and the future structure of European airlines and airports. in: Proceedings of the European Transport Conference, 9-11 September 2002 London, UK Association for European Transport.

Budget airlines
Dennis, N. 2002. Budget airlines. Insights. ISS-55 (ART-106), pp. D9-D17.

Densification and urban compaction: reinforcing the drive for sustainability
Cooper, J., Donegan, K., Ryley, T., Smyth, A. and Granzow, E. 2002. Densification and urban compaction: reinforcing the drive for sustainability. in: Transportation planning and analysis 2002: planning and administration Washington DC, USA Transportation Research Board.

Energy use and transport correlation linking personal and travel related energy uses to the urban structure
Cooper, J., Ryley, T., Smyth, A. and Granzow, E. 2001. Energy use and transport correlation linking personal and travel related energy uses to the urban structure. Environmental Science & Policy. 4 (6), pp. 307-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1462-9011(01)00030-2

Energy trade-offs and market responses in transport and residential land use patterns: promoting sustainable devlopment policy
Cooper, J., Ryley, T. and Smyth, A. 2001. Energy trade-offs and market responses in transport and residential land use patterns: promoting sustainable devlopment policy. Urban Studies. 38 (9), pp. 1573-1588. https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980126673

Contemporary lifestyles and the implications for sustainable development policy: lessons from the UK's most car dependent city, Belfast
Cooper, J., Ryley, T. and Smyth, A. 2001. Contemporary lifestyles and the implications for sustainable development policy: lessons from the UK's most car dependent city, Belfast. Cities. 18 (2), pp. 103-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(00)00062-7

Airport environmental capacity and developments in airline operations
Dennis, N. and Graham, A. 2001. Airport environmental capacity and developments in airline operations. SCAN-UK Conference. Manchester Metropolitan University 02 -03 Apr 2001

The interaction between consumer response and urban design: empirical results from Belfast
Cooper, J., Ryley, T., Smyth, A. and Alayo, J. 2001. The interaction between consumer response and urban design: empirical results from Belfast. Environment and Planning A. 33 (7), pp. 1265-1278. https://doi.org/10.1068/a33167

Developments of hubbing at European airports
Dennis, N. 2001. Developments of hubbing at European airports. Air and Space Europe. 3 (1/2), pp. 51-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1290-0958(01)90015-2

Scheduling issues and network strategies for international airline alliances
Dennis, N. 2000. Scheduling issues and network strategies for international airline alliances. Journal of Air Transport Management. 6 (2), pp. 75-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-6997(99)00027-7

Low cost airlines and scheduled airline operations
Dennis, N. 2000. Low cost airlines and scheduled airline operations. Transport Economist. 27 (2), pp. 1-8.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/91524/comparative-analysis-of-regional-airline-industry-in-europe-and-north-america-and-some-insight-into-current-developments


Share this

Usage statistics

486 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.