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Airport slots and the internalization of congestion by airlines: An empirical model of integrated flight disruption management in Brazil

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  • Miranda, Victor A.P.
  • Oliveira, Alessandro V.M.

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the control of airport slots by major airlines and their incentives to engage in service quality. We investigate a set of airline strategies regarding possible practices of slot hoarding and slot concentration through mergers aiming at erecting airport barriers to entry. We develop an econometric model of flight disruptions by allowing an integrated management of flight delays, cancellations, aircraft size, price and passengers per flight. We consider the case of the domestic airline industry in Brazil. We find evidence of the internalization of congestion externalities by dominant carriers. We also have some evidence of schedule padding, a strategic trade-off between delays and cancelations, and slot hoarding following a merger. Our results suggest that carriers intensify the internalization of congestion externalities when slot flight concentration increases.

Suggested Citation

  • Miranda, Victor A.P. & Oliveira, Alessandro V.M., 2018. "Airport slots and the internalization of congestion by airlines: An empirical model of integrated flight disruption management in Brazil," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 201-219.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:116:y:2018:i:c:p:201-219
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.06.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Airlines; Airports; Slots; Congestion externalities; Econometrics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L93 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Air Transportation

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