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The long-haul low-cost airline business model: A disruptive innovation perspective

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  • Albers, Sascha
  • Daft, Jost
  • Stabenow, Sebastian
  • Rundshagen, Volker

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of the long-haul low-cost (LHLC) airline business model on the air transport industry from a disruptive innovation perspective. We argue that the LHLC business model is set to stay; it is bound to penetrate the mass market that has, to date, been occupied by incumbent network carriers. It will thus lead to significant strategic adaptations in the long-haul air travel market where incumbents are well advised to prepare their responses. We provide a set of strategic response options along the categories of avoiding, accepting and embracing the LHLC business model that can be used by incumbents to defend their competitive positioning in the long-haul air travel market. This paper provides guidelines for airline managers to (re)evaluate the strategies of their own organizations facing the emergence of a potentially disruptive innovation in their industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Albers, Sascha & Daft, Jost & Stabenow, Sebastian & Rundshagen, Volker, 2020. "The long-haul low-cost airline business model: A disruptive innovation perspective," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:89:y:2020:i:c:s0969699720304622
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101878
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    Cited by:

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    2. Magdalina, Ana & Bouzaima, Martin, 2021. "An empirical investigation of European airline business models: Classification and hybridisation," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    3. Vatankhah, Sanaz & Bamshad, Vahideh & Altinay, Levent & De Vita, Glauco, 2023. "Understanding business model development through the lens of complexity theory: Enablers and barriers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    4. Chiambaretto, Paul, 2021. "Air passengers’ willingness to pay for ancillary services on long-haul flights," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    5. Alessandro V. M. Oliveira & Thiago Caliari & Rodolfo R. Narcizo, 2024. "An empirical model of fleet modernization: on the relationship between market concentration and innovation adoption in the Brazilian airline industry," Papers 2401.06876, arXiv.org.
    6. Klophaus, Richard & Yu, Chunyan, 2023. "Short-haul airline services in Europe and North America - A cross-business model and cross-continental analysis," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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