Airline Industry Online Resource Guide

Industry Profile

Reuters offers an overview of the industry including financial statistics, recent performance, company rankings by various metrics, and links to key issues and current trends.

Government Agencies & Regulation

The FAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, oversees and manages aviation safety and security and operates the world’s largest air traffic control system. The site includes industry news and statistics, as well as links to regulations and safety information. It also provides information for travelers, pilots, and mechanics. Under the Regulations & Policies tab, there is a link to Title 14 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

From the DOT's homepage, there are links to TSA information for travelers regarding the security screening process and prohibited items and also to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division for reporting air travel problems and complaints. The division also provides consumer reports, travel tips, and links to airline Customer Service Plans.

This site is a great source for industry statistics that can be accessed by mode of transportation, such as aviation, or by subject, such as safety or passenger travel. The site also allows advanced keyword searching and has factsheets on all U.S. carriers and over 30 major U.S. airports.

The NTSB is responsible for maintaining the government's database of civil aviation accidents and also conducts special studies of transportation safety issues of national significance. The website provides a searchable database of over 140,000 aviation accident synopses as well as monthly aviation accident statistics.

The TSA and the US Customs and Border Protection, divisions of the Department of Homeland Security, are responsible for certain civil aviation security matters, including passenger and baggage screening at US airports. The TSA website has a wealth of information including press releases, security operations and laws, information for travelers, and the administration's history.

ICAO, a UN Specialized Agency, is the global forum for civil aviation. ICAO works to achieve its vision of safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its member States. The website includes access to the ICAO Journal, which has an annual review of the global aviation industry in the September/October issue each year.

Industry News and Publications

This site offers searchable access to Airport Business Magazine online including access to issue archives. It provides news coverage in several categories including airport news, airline news, general aviation, legal news, and international news. It also links to postings from five different blogs on the industry.

ATW offers online access to selected articles from the current issue with the option to purchase access to all the content. The site also allows users to browse archival issues by date or subject. The homepage features daily news articles and webcasts on industry issues.

This website offers articles from Reuters pertaining to airline, airport, and aviation industry news. Users can also access worldwide and U.S. flight schedules and participate in discussion forums on a variety of topics from frequent flyer programs to air rage.

Yahoo compiles newswire articles related to the airline industry from a variety of sources and arranges them by date. Users can search the news by keyword, date or company ticker symbol.

This online magazine offers the latest industry news as well as reports categorized by airlines, airports, cargo & logistics, business aviation, and industry. It also provides product reviews and a link to an industry calendar of events.

Industry Associations

These represent the major professional associations related to the airline/aviation industry. Each website includes news updates as well as information regarding the history and mission of the individual organization.

IATA is a trade organization representing nearly 270 airlines, which account for about 95% of international scheduled traffic. The associations major priorities are finding cost reduction possibilities and enhancing customer experience and convenience.

ACI advances the interests of the world's airports and promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations. To support the essential role of the airport industry for economies and societies worldwide, ACI seeks to maximize airports contributions to maintaining and developing a safe, secure, environmentally compatible, efficient and prospering air transport system.

ATA remains the only trade organization for the principal US airlines. The purpose of the ATA is to support and assist its members by promoting the air transport industry and the safety, cost effectiveness, and technological advancement of its operations; advocating common industry positions before state and local governments, conducting designated industry-wide programs; and assuring governmental and public understanding of all aspects of air transport.

RAA represents U.S. regional airlines and the suppliers of products and services that support the industry, before the U.S. Congress, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and other federal and state agencies.

ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents 60,000 pilots who fly for 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines. The association assists pilot groups in contract negotiations as well as advocating on their behalf with Congress and other federal agencies.

NATA is the national association of aviation business service providers. Their members offer an array of services, from aircraft charter to fueling and maintenance, and the association's mission includes representing the business interests of general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters at the Federal level.

Major U.S. Airlines

(Domestic market share for 2006 by revenue passenger miles from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics)

American's domestic market share in 2006 was 15.5%.

United's domestic market share in 2006 was 12.1%.

Southwest's domestic market share in 2006 was 11.8%.

Delta's domestic market share in 2006 was 11.3%.

Continental's domestic market share in 2006 was 7.7%.

Northwest's domestic market share in 2006 was 7.0%.

US Airways' domestic market share in 2006 was 4.7%.

Major Foreign Airlines

Air France, based in Roissy, France, is one of the subsidiaries of the Air France KLM Group and flies to 185 destinations in 83 countries.

British Airways is the UK's largest international scheduled airline, flying to over 550 destinations.

Japan Airlines Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, flies to 35 countries and 216 airports.

Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Lufthansa offers flights to 185 cities in 97 countries.

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Created April 1, 2007