Aviation Research Reports

Boyd Group International now proudly offers a number of research papers and studies that illuminate issues that are at the forefront of aviation debate. These research documents go beyond the ambient thinking of today, and cover new ground.

These are the product of entirely independent efforts by the professional staff of Boyd Group International. The data and insights found in these studies today are what other analysts will be "predicting" tomorrow.
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Start-Up Airlines Since 1978:
Creating A Financial Junk Yard

In 2008, we prepared a review of key start-up airline failures since the onset of Airline Deregulation.

This was updated in November 2011, and gives a rather direct and brief perspective of some of the biggest flops in American business history. Click here to go to the report page.

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Atlanta & The Southwest/AirTran Merger

December 2011. No, there won't be huge fare stimulation. Actually, there will be a reduction in enplanements. Click here for the report.
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The AMR Bankruptcy: Now For Some Reality

December 2011. Boyd Group International has completed an independent review of the causes and potential outcomes of the Chapter-11 filing by AMR. Click here for the report.

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Cuba:

An Independent Analysis of Airline
Opportunities & Challenges

Summary: The expectations of bonanza traffic are largely offset by the state of the Cuban economy and geopolitical realities.

The US airline industry should be prepared for increased liberalization of trade with Cuba. But that also means it will need to have a realistic understanding of the scope of the opportunity. This Research Report is an independent step in that direction.

The Obama Administration's recent loosening of family travel restrictions between the US and Cuba has sparked speculation of the potential net new traffic for US carriers, both as a result of the new rules as well as congressional legislation proposing to eliminate all restrictions.

The new "VFR" - Visiting Family & Relatives - rules will, without question, tend to increase the demand for this specific traffic segment. Prior to the Bush Administration tightening the restrictions in 2004, approximately 190,000 people annually made sanctioned trips between the US and Cuba.

This Boyd Group International analysis explores the size and geographical demographics of this sector. From these it provides estimates of the expected demand, and the levels of opportunity - or lack of same - open to the US airline industry.

Also reviewed are the wider opportunities for US carriers should all travel restrictions be eliminated, as proposed by the Free Travel To Cuba Act, that has been proposed in congress.

Curiosity: High. Actual Travel Potential Is Much Lower. There is a misconception that just ending the US embargo will open a floodgate of tourist and business travel between the USA and Cuba.

The analyses in this Research Report do not support such a contention. Under any range of circumstances, there would not be anywhere near a "flood" of new air travel demand to Cuba in the near-term. Actually, there isn't even any external "gate" at the present time keeping trade or tourism out of Cuba. What most Americans do not realize is that Cuba can and does trade freely with the rest of the world, and currently has air service access to the globe. Opening up the ability for selling US goods to Cuba does not necessarily mean the Cuban government wants it. Or, can afford it.

The study also found that there is much less tourist/beach traffic potential for US consumers than some have suggested.

The study reviews the fundamentals of the future demand for US-Cuba air service, without any second-agendas and with clear focus on current realities.

This Research Report candidly reviews the basic realities regarding what Cuba in its present and foreseeable state represents as an opportunity to US carriers, and which carriers have the most to gain with a partial or entire elimination of the near half-century of US travel and trade restrictions.

Cuba: An Independent Analysis of Airline Opportunities & Challenges can be ordered securely on-line by clicking here. Price: $325.

Summaries of this study are available - complimentary - on request to bona fide media.

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