What does this research mean for the field?

US airlines have a 12% productivity advantage over non-US airlines, which is offset by higher labor costs resulting in equivalent unit costs. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to compare the total factor productivity and unit costs between US and non-US airlines.

February 28, 2026Journal of transport economics and policy

The World’s Airlines: A Cost and Productivity Comparison

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Authors

RWR.J. Windle

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Implication

Analysis compares productivity and costs of US and non-US airlines, highlighting traffic density's impact.

Key Points

The aim is to compare the total factor productivity and unit costs between US and non-US airlines.
Analyzed total factor productivity and unit costs of 14 US airlines and 27 non-US airlines in 1983.
Compared productivity advantages alongside labour price effects.
Examined the influence of traffic density on productivity levels.
US airlines showed a 12% productivity advantage over non-US carriers.
Higher labour prices led to equivalent unit costs for both US and non-US airlines.
Higher productivity levels were primarily due to increased traffic density.

Cite This Study

R.J. Windle (1991) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a287460a974eb0d3c02cf7 https://doi.org/10.3828/jtep.1991.25.1.31

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The World’s Airlines: A Cost and Productivity Comparison

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The World’s Airlines: A Cost and Productivity Comparison

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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