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The effects of China's airline mergers on prices

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  • Zhang, Yahua
  • Round, David K.

Abstract

This paper looks at the effects of some of the recent airline mergers in China. Overall, no significant airfare increases are found in a sample of markets served by the merged China Eastern and China Southern after 2002; indeed in most of the markets directly affected airfares declined. This was despite the absence of antitrust laws and enforcement over the period. However, market power was possibly exercised after the mergers in China Eastern's hub-to-hub networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Yahua & Round, David K., 2009. "The effects of China's airline mergers on prices," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 315-323.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:15:y:2009:i:6:p:315-323
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2009.04.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Jiaoe & Mo, Huihui & Wang, Fahui, 2014. "Evolution of air transport network of China 1930–2012," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 145-158.
    2. Steven, Adams B. & Yazdi, Amirhossein Alamdar & Dresner, Martin, 2016. "Mergers and service quality in the airline industry: A silver lining for air travelers?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 1-13.
    3. Chow, Clement Kong Wing & Tsui, Wai Hong Kan, 2017. "Organizational learning, operating costs and airline consolidation policy in the Chinese airline industry," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 108-118.
    4. Wang, Kun & Fan, Xingli & Fu, Xiaowen & Zhou, Yiran, 2014. "Benchmarking the performance of Chinese airlines: An investigation of productivity, yield and cost competitiveness," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 3-14.
    5. Liu, Han & Ackert, Lucy F. & Chang, Fang & Qi, Li & Shi, Yaojiang, 2021. "Social division, trust, and reciprocity among Chinese inmates," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(3), pages 259-273.
    6. Zhang, Qiong & Yang, Hangjun & Wang, Qiang & Zhang, Anming, 2014. "Market power and its determinants in the Chinese airline industry," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1-13.
    7. Campos, Javier & Jiménez, Juan Luis & Perdiguero, Jordi, 2015. "Contestability and public concern about airfares: A case study in the Canary Islands," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 180-186.
    8. Chow, Clement Kong Wing & Fung, Michael Ka Yiu, 2012. "Measuring the effects of China’s airline mergers on the productivity of state-owned carriers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 1-4.
    9. Ma, Wenliang & Wang, Qiang & Yang, Hangjun & Zhang, Anming & Zhang, Yahua, 2019. "Effects of Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail on air travel: Passenger types, airline groups and tacit collusion," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 64-76.
    10. Ho, Chun-Yu & McCarthy, Patrick & Wang, Yanhao, 2021. "Competition and countervailing power: Evidence from the China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines merger," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    11. Wang, Kun & Zhang, Anming & Zhang, Yahua, 2018. "Key determinants of airline pricing and air travel demand in China and India: Policy, ownership, and LCC competition," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 80-89.
    12. Wing Chow, Clement Kong, 2010. "Measuring the productivity changes of Chinese airlines: The impact of the entries of non-state-owned carriers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 320-324.
    13. Tan, Xinlong & Jia, Rongwen & Yan, Jia & Wang, Kun & Bian, Lei, 2021. "An Exploratory analysis of flight delay propagation in China," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    14. Vaze, Vikrant & Luo, Tian & Harder, Reed, 2017. "Impacts of airline mergers on passenger welfare," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 130-154.
    15. Wang, Jiaoe & Mo, Huihui & Wang, Fahui & Jin, Fengjun, 2011. "Exploring the network structure and nodal centrality of China’s air transport network: A complex network approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 712-721.

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