Entry and Exit in a Liberalised Market

Abstract

We analyze the entry and exit activity in the European Airline Markets in the post-liberalisation period and study the differential traits between traditional and low cost carriers. Alongside with the characteristics traditionally highlighted as determinants of entry (such as airport presence and network economies), we find that the existence of charter or seasonal operators, product differentiation opportunities and the level of quality provided by the incumbents are also relevant in explaining entry and/or exit. Despite the liberalisation policies, the contestability of important large markets still seems to be limited.

Keywords: Entry, Exit, Airlines, Conditional Logit, Europe, Low Cost

JEL Classification: L11, L93