Any Turbulence on the Horizon? A Competitive Assessment of the Airline Industry.

Abstract: The last few years have not exactly be a walk in the park for airlines worldwide as several dramatic events occurred, inter alia, the Germanwings crash in the French Alps. These tragic events have an influence on passengers' behaviors and the way they perceive the industry. Consequently, airlines must be prepared to face such crises, but also competition, and the recent appearance of low-cost carriers has changed the rules of the game. This thesis has therefore the ambition to describe, analyse and comment the way airlines compete within the internal market. This thesis will focus on three aspects of competition: the competitive strategy of a single airline, the way airlines cooperate between each other, and to finish the circumstances under which Member States are allowed to support airlines through state aid mechanisms.