Airline Competition: Evaluation of changes in competitive behavior of airlines since deregulation of the airline industry, including pricing strategies, market concentration, and development of hub/spoke route structures. Assessment of operating costs and productivity improvements, as well as emerging competition by low-cost carriers.
Airline Pricing and Seat Inventory Control: Revenue maximization through applied differential pricing practices and capacity control techniques. Development of decision support tools for assessment of pricing initiatives and for optimization of booking limits on different fare classes and different distribution channels.
Network Optimization of Origin-Destination Traffic Flows: Application of forecasting and optimization algorithms to the control of passenger flows over an airline connecting hub network. Simulation testing of heuristic and optimal solutions that can be implemented under existing computer and reservations system constraints.
Economic Viability of New Aircraft Programs: Assessment of market
potential for new aircraft, given airline operating
practices and the competitive environment among
both airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
