The direction of airlines business models - up or down? (Post Covid-19 crisis - case study)

Abstract

This paper deals with airlines business models, mostly full service network carriers (FSNC) and low-cost carriers (LCC) and their position on the airline market. Covid-19 crisis causes many negative impacts on all airline industry. Hybridisation process in aviation industry is described many times in the past; now it has a stronger impact on airline business model development and it is oriented on different aspects than before. The paper emphasises the fact that low-cost carrier’s business model is much closer to the features of the FSNC carriers from the price point of view and vice versa. Furthermore, the authors introduce some other diversifications of airlines business models and the paper offers the new stimulus to move forward in this tough time for airlines business, paradoxically, thanks to Covid-19. Finally, yet importantly, the authors emphasise the important role of the state in the further direction of the airlines during and after the Covid-19 crisis.