In the last years the airline industry has changed tremendously. Since the middle of the -90s, new kinds of airline, e.g. low cost carriers, have emerged on different markets. Additionally, we have seen an increasing number of mergers, take-overs, and different types of alliances, also across business models. While it used to be rather clear which business model provided what kind of service, hybrid carriers have appeared lately, again increasing the number of choices for the customer. Thus, the distinction between the different business models has changed and is no longer as clear. These aspects are reason enough to analyse the specifities of different business models and what might be influencing factors for change in these models.
Following this introduction, chapter 2 provides the definitions of the different ideal-type business models and their specifities, also including the hybrid model. Based on this, a chapter follows on the development of different business models of passenger airlines over the last ten years in Europe. The five most important countries in terms of flight volumes are considered in more detail before at the end the presence of these airlines at certain airports is shown. The relationship between airport type and business model is discussed. In the next chapter, current trends of consolidation in the whole aviation industry will be presented, and how it affects the different business models. Finally, the paper ends with an overview of what change in trends might be possible concerning the different business models. The emphasis there will be placed on different perspectives for low cost airlines in particular.