The Airline Industry – A Comprehensive Overview

The Airline Industry – A Comprehensive Overview (1st Edition) is a textbook by John Frankie O'Connell that presents the economic and operational foundations of modern commercial aviation. Designed for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and industry practitioners, this text outlines how carrier business models adapt to shifting market environments.

The volume synthesizes core thematic developments across commercial flight operations. Initial chapters address policy changes including deregulation, liberalisation, and Open Skies agreements, establishing the regulatory environment for global air transport. The text then investigates distinct carrier structures, comparing regional airlines with emerging long-haul low-cost models, alongside detailed examinations of airline operating costs and marketing practices.

To bridge theory and practice, the author integrates insights gathered through interviews with executive leaders across airlines and related sectors. This textbook provides structured guidance suitable for university courses, while offering practical reference material for lecturers, researchers, economists, and business analysts.