Question

In the late 1990’s, Vanguard Airlines operated as a low-cost carrier, offering low prices and limited services, out of Kansas City, Missouri. Not long after its inception, Vanguard began offering a significant number of flights based out of Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois as well. When Vanguard expanded to Midway, incumbent airlines, such as Delta, quickly responded to its low fares by offering many competing flights at comparably low prices. The intense price competition ultimately caused Vanguard to exit Midway in 2000 and file for bankruptcy in 2002. At varying points in time, the airline industry has been described as a contestable market; does the example of Vanguard support or refute this characterization of the airline industry? Explain.

Answer 1