Domestic Airline Markets: Comparative Insights from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Spain

Alejandro Di Bernardi
Angel Paris Loreiro
Antonia Pacios Alvarez
Evandro José da Silva
Germán Barragan
Jorge Miguel dos Reis Silva
Maria Emilia Baltazar
Oscar Rico

Universidad Nacional de La Plata · Universidad Politécnica de Madrid · Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica · Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana · Universidade da Beira Interior, Aerospace Sciences Department (DCA-UBI) · CiTUA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa

Download PDF DOI: 10.29327/9786527220244.1239337 Also published on Even3

Event: XXII SITRAER – Brasília, DF, Brasil, October 22–24, 2025
Volume: Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025 · ISBN 978-65-272-2024-4 · DOI 10.29327/9786527220244
Publisher: Even3 Publicações
Editors: Fabiana Serra de Arruda, Camila Lucena, Giovanna Miceli Ronzani Borille, Evandro José da Silva

Abstract

This exploratory study maps and contrasts the domestic-airline regulatory frameworks of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Spain through documentary review and qualitative comparison of reform milestones since the 1990s. We identify a continuum of governance models ranging from EU-style open-access regimes with transparent Public Service Obligations (Portugal, Spain) to concentrated oligopolies relying on market incentives (Brazil, Mexico) and volatile reform cycles (Argentina). The analysis reveals that institutional consistency—rather than geography or market size—determines market concentration and connectivity outcomes. Three key lessons emerge: transparent liberalisation frameworks sustain competition more effectively than intermittent reforms; targeted PSO mechanisms reconcile efficiency with social cohesion; and state involvement remains resilient where aviation is deemed strategic. By foregrounding institutional levers and empirical patterns, the paper offers evidence for policymakers recalibrating national aviation strategies in line with liberalisation objectives, fiscal constraints and social-cohesion goals.

Keywords: Airlines; Air Transport; Market Regulation

How to cite

ABNT

BERNARDI, Alejandro Di; LOREIRO, Angel Paris; ALVAREZ, Antonia Pacios; SILVA, Evandro José da; BARRAGAN, Germán; SILVA, Jorge Miguel dos Reis; BALTAZAR, Maria Emilia; RICO, Oscar. Domestic Airline Markets: Comparative Insights from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. In: SIMPÓSIO DE TRANSPORTE AÉREO, 22., 2025, Brasília. Anais [...]. Recife: Even3, 2026. ISBN 978-65-272-2024-4. DOI: 10.29327/9786527220244.1239337. Disponível em: https://sitraer-sbta.org/anais-2025-1239337.html.

APA

Bernardi, A. D., Loreiro, A. P., Alvarez, A. P., Silva, E. J., Barragan, G., Silva, J. M. R., Baltazar, M. E., & Rico, O. (2025). Domestic Airline Markets: Comparative Insights from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. In F. S. Arruda, C. Lucena, G. M. R. Borille, & E. J. Silva (Eds.), Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025. Even3. https://doi.org/10.29327/9786527220244.1239337

BibTeX

@inproceedings{bernardi2025domestic,
  author = {Bernardi, Alejandro Di and Loreiro, Angel Paris and Alvarez, Antonia Pacios and Silva, Evandro José da and Barragan, Germán and Silva, Jorge Miguel dos Reis and Baltazar, Maria Emilia and Rico, Oscar},
  title = {{Domestic Airline Markets: Comparative Insights from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and Spain}},
  booktitle = {Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025},
  editor = {Arruda, Fabiana Serra de and Lucena, Camila and Borille, Giovanna Miceli Ronzani and Silva, Evandro José da},
  year = {2025},
  address = {Brasília, DF, Brasil},
  publisher = {Even3 Publicações},
  isbn = {978-65-272-2024-4},
  doi = {10.29327/9786527220244.1239337},
  url = {https://sitraer-sbta.org/anais-2025-1239337.html}
}