The impacts of the Asian economic crises on Asian airlines: Short-run responses and long-run effects

Abstract

The optimism shared by agencies such as IATA and the Air Transport Action Group on the growth in the demand for air travel has been temporarily derailed by the Asian economic crisis which appears to have dimmed the prospects for growth of many Asian carriers. Prospects for growth and expansion appeared to be excellent and were the driving force in setting the agenda for privatization, liberalization and the formation of new airlines. This paper discusses responses by Asian airlines with respect to redefining the scope of operations, capacity decisions, cost competitiveness, alliances and service decisions. It concludes with an argument that economic crisis appears to have shifted air transport policies in the direction of greater liberalization.