An Econometric Analysis on Pricing and Market Structure in the U.S. Airline Industry

Authors

Jiajun Liang, Macalester CollegeFollow

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between market power and airfares in the U.S. aviation industry. I performed Hausman-Taylor and random effects estimation techniques on quarterly data of the top one thousand most heavily traveled city pairs from 2009 to 2012. Overall, the regression results may be interpreted in such way that while higher concentration at a route level increases ticket prices, it nonetheless reduces average airfare at the airport level. For policy implications, it may suggest that higher market concentration has at least some merits to the consumers, most likely caused by the cost saving due to economic use of airport facilities and efficient operations at hub airports.

Recommended Citation

Liang, Jiajun (2013) "An Econometric Analysis on Pricing and Market Structure in the U.S. Airline Industry," The Macalester Review: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/macreview/vol3/iss2/2