Purpose – Southwest is the world’s fourth largest airline and has consistently been one of the most admired organisations in the USA. Its founder and Chairman Emeritus, Herb Kelleher, attributes much of this success to the use of strategic principles. This gives a guiding framework for...

Purpose – Mergers and acquisitions (M & As) are sensitive issues in most industries, but it would seem even more so in airlines. The list of failures or destroyed value in the sector is long. This article outlines three of the main reason why M & As can be a challenge in this industry....

Purpose – This paper aims to explain how airlines in India and customers can both benefit by the unbundling of services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores how a recent regulatory change allowing unbundled services will affect the airline industry in India. Using illustrations,...

Purpose – This article focuses on the lessons that can be learnt from the bankruptcy of Kingfisher airlines (KFA). Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the key reasons behind the failure of KFA. It follows the strategic decisions and actions that KFA took over its lifespan. It...

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the success of the three main mergers that have taken place in the US airline industry since 2008. Delta and Northwest, then Continental and United and finally US Airways and American Airlines have all tied the corporate knot. This is the latest attempt of the...