Evolution of Air Transport Networks under Different Airline Business Models: The Case of Three Chinese Airlines

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the evolution process of air transport networks (ATNs) under different airline business models, and empirically analyzed the causes of evolution differences combining with airline market behaviors. Three representative Chinese airlines (China Southern Airlines, Spring Airlines, and Lucky Air) that belong to three business models (full-service, low-cost, and regional) were examined. Based on mathematical statistics and complex network theory, from spatial pattern, topological feature and central city, the result showed that the airlines have their own unique evolution characteristics of ATNs driven by different business models. China southern airlines as state-owned full-service network carrier, its ATN is easily affected by national policy. Spring Airlines has more flexible and diverse choice in choosing target markets and the ATN had a transformation from a mono-centric divergence network to a two-centric regional one. Lucky Air as a regional feeder carrier, whether navigable airports or navigable routes increasingly concentrated within the southwest of China. This information is important for government to improve the national ATN by developing targeted airlines.