THE EUROPEAN SINGLE AVIATION MARKET : A SUCCESS STORY ? : A COMPETITION ASSESSMENT

Abstract

While a considerable amount of data suggests that liberalisation in the European aviation industry has been successful, this thesis adopts a mixed approach, consisting of desk research incorporating findings from academic contributions, policy and legislative documents, as well as court cases, to qualify this statement. It emerges that there remain areas where findings are inconsistent, as well as some impediments to competition that deserve attention. As for the former, the most blatant example is constituted by the effect on airfares, while for the latter, slot shortages at congested airports, the fact that the majority of routes remains monopolised and financial difficulties of small airports are the main sources of concern.