y uninhabited by other airlines. Many seem to be focused on either west coast or east coast for example and do not enter other areas. Finding an area, at least in the US, that does not already have a significant amount of airlines in it is difficult.Key Success Factors of Winners Vs. LosersWhat determines the winners from the losers in the airline industry is difficult to tell. Advanced technological innovations will be one of the most important aspects of maintaining a prominent position in the industry. Mergers and alliances are also very powerful because of the synergy of two different airlines produce when combined. Also, the winners in the airline industry will understand their customers needs and cater to their needs whether they are business travelers or leisure travelers. Increasing benefits to both markets will only help an individual carrier to separate itself from the others.Recommendations of where the industry will be in 2001The airline industry will undoubtedly expand and become increasingly more competitive in the next year. The likelihood of new airlines is slim but possible mergers are not. Companies become very powerful when joined with eachother and in the airline industry is no different. We look to see technologies that will facilitate both purchasing tickets and flying in general to increase and become more prominent as consumers become more sensitive to time constraints.Safety issues will receive a great deal of attention and standards will continue to increase. Price wars will become more intense and enable certain carriers to separate themselves from the competition by finding a way to provide quality at a lower price.How to Position a Firm Successfully in the Airline IndustryA firm should first decide which niche they are to be a part of to be successful in the airline industry. A successful firm will likely enter an area with little competition, such as Alaska did on the west coast. Granted some c...
