Disruption in the airline industry. It is coming, faster and bigger than you think: Part 2

It is notable that airline liberalisation has scarcely been driven by overt consumer pressure. Instead it has been a handful of influential and enlightened governments who, recognising the flow-on economic benefits, have promoted aviation liberalisation in the wider national (and global) interest.

In fact, with some exceptions, airline consumers have in general received a good deal over the past 40 years, in terms of low fares and good product, a result of the combination of regulatory change and of airlines prepared to exploit it effectively. LCCs and the Gulf airlines have played a major part in that.

Ironically, consumers and the EC and US DoT/Congress have instead ridden political waves to introduce "consumer protection" rules that often do more harm than good - for example the flawed rules on both sides of the Atlantic and elsewhere punishing airlines for delays, even where weather or ATC/airport or other issues are to blame.