Airline Competition

Arguing that full deregulation of the airline industry leads to the production of excess capacity, Williams surveys the tactics and strategies of airline carriers to global deregulation. Focusing primarily on United States and European carriers, he compares the two industries, finding that Europeans have emulated US strategies in the aftermath of liberalization. Aside from the cavil about excess capacity, Williams views deregulation as a good thing, arguing that it leads to lower fares and more competition. What is needed, he suggests, is a global deregulation that would allow for worldwide consolidation of the airline industry.