Fair game?: A recent series of failures around the world has once again highlighted the precarious nature of life as a small independent carrier. As the majors buy up or shut down their would-be challengers should competition authorities acttough?The answer is: not necessarily.(Brief Article)(Editorial)

Publication: Airline Business

Publication Date: 04-JUN-01

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COPYRIGHT 2001 Reed Business Information Ltd.

These are apparently risky times to be an independent carrier. Witness the failure of Canada's Roots Air, Australia's Impulse Airlines and Qantas New Zealand. All were fighting against their local major network carrier and lost out. At the same time American Airlines saw the UScourts throw out charges that it had unfairly killed low cost competitors. But while shedding a tear for the demise of the brave new entrants, it is worth also sparing a thought for the competition authorities which have struggled to create rules to define exactly what level of competition is fair.

Of course, the recent failures have their differences. Roots, named after one of Canada's most popular retail brands, had aimed to compete in the business market...

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