Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the factors that make changes inevitable, to predict what is likely to happen as a result of such changes, and to suggest what can be done by both airline management and governments in order to improve anticipated outcomes. It also examines what changes have occurred so far in the air transport industry in Asia as a result of the recent economic crisis in Asia, and what are the likely impacts of the economic crisis on air transport scenes in the long run. The book describes future prospects of the air transport markets in the Asia Pacific region. It reviews the development of the airline industry and major carriers in selected countries in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Pacific. The book discusses regulatory approaches in Asian countries and points out their major flaws.