Competition and Entry Deterrence in the International Flight Market: Evidence from Korean Regional Airport

Abstract

This study examines carriers’ entry of the Korean international routes at Daegu International Airport from 2010 to 2018. We investigate whether carriers’ entry into the international flight market is deterred by pre-existing carriers. The competition level of the six months before entry has a much higher contribution to the decision to launch route service. The lower the market concentration six months ago, the less likely a new carrier entry in the current period; competitive and increasingly crowded routes are hindered by entry barriers, deterring new entrants to the international flight market. The shorter the flight distance and the larger the air passenger market, the higher the probability of entering a new airline carrier. New entrants to non-stop point-to-point route structures are more likely on short-haul routes and routes operated by at least one low-cost carrier.