Air Transport in the 21st Century: Key Strategic Developments

Aviation is buffeted by fluctuating political and economic landscapes, ever-changing competition, technology developments, globalization, increasing deregulation and evolving customer requirements. In the many industrial sectors of the airline industry, competitive pressures and the blurring of industry barriers are making it increasingly difficult for firms to sustain market position over time. Aviation is in a constant state of flux and the uncertainties facing the industry are far greater than usual and it stands at a critical juncture. The principle aim of this book is to give a solid description of the current trends of airline industry and its related suppliers by providing an insight into the forces that are changing its dynamics. The central theme of this book is to examine the various trends that are reshaping the structure of the industry and to isolate pivotal areas whose impact will be critical going forward. The book features two very distinct sections. The first part contains several one-page contributions from several industry executives at CEO/VP level from airlines, aircraft/engine manufacturers, safety, navigational provider groups, etc who have all set out their take of where the airline industry is heading. This commercial input sets the scene for the book and provides the bridge to the second section, which is composed of 15 chapters written by distinguished academic authors. Each chapter presents a valuable insight into a specific area of expertise and describes the historical and current pulse points which have impacted the industry, with descriptive analysis providing a roadmap of where the industry is likely to emerge. The subject areas include airlines, airports, cargo, deregulation, environment, navigation, strategy, information technology, security and tourism. The shared objective of the authors is to describe and unfold the core competencies that are underpinning the current shape of the industry and to examine the forces that will change its direction. The book is written in a management rather than a hard-core technical economic style and will appeal to all levels of personnel who work at airlines across the world. It is also written for airport authorities, aerospace manufacturers, regulatory and government transportation agencies, researchers and students of aviation management, transport studies, tourism and the wider air transport industry chain.