P/B/680. Dissertation. Strategic and comparative analysis of low cost airlines

The dissertation examines the performance of low cost airlines focusing on the strategies that make low fares possible and offering an overview of the air traffic industry including regulations on its liberalisation, the European single market, the Third Country routes, the strategy of flag carriers, the development of the European low cost carriers, etc. Comparison is made between direct and indirect operating costs of easyJet and British Midland airlines (BMI), and between the current fares of Ryan Air and BMI. Research methods include primary data collection through a questionnaire and a consumer survey. Conclusions are made about the competitive advantage of the low cost airlines and their leadership strategies.