With deregulation and open competition between airlines, the
future may resemble some aspects of the past before the big
airlines like Trans Canada Airlines and Canadian Pacific came
into being. The belief that a big airline is better is not true
anymore. The airline that is successful in the new environment
must be profitable on each flight. To do this, airlines must fly
with few empty seats.
Airlines now must be flexible, providing the right size
aircraft for each route, and be able to quickly respond if more
or less capacity is needed. Costs have to be kept down with a
labour force that is competitively paid. Maintenance cost must
be kept to a minimum by having entire fleets that are made up of
one or two kinds of aircraft, which will allow the use of the
same spare parts and procedures anywhere they are needed.
Airlines have to go to locations where their services are
needed and must provide good friendly services. There will be a
continuation of no frills service, with new original ways to
provide extras. Purchases of meals during flights are possible
and cheap forms of entertainment may be added.
It may also become a rule that the new airlines must know
when it is time to stop growing. The old assumption that big is
better will always be challenged.
There may also be a continuation of the pay-for-services by
consumers that would include airport passenger fees and payment
for extras in flight.
Those airlines that find a way to be flexible, to provide the
right service and appropriately sized aircraft, and to show a
profit for every flight will survive, regardless of their size