Developments in transport policy: US airline policy changes in an era of consolidation

Transportation policy developments in the US are reviewed. These policy developments in the US are a logical next step in the evolving and largely declining role of government in the deregulated air transport industry. In one sense they are part of the revised thinking of economists about network businesses in general and the role of government. In another sense, they reflect the cyclical upswing being enjoyed by network carriers in the US. In addition, many of the developments may have to be rethought if there is sufficient airport and air traffic control capacity in the US to accommodate the regional jet revolution.