Airline Quote by John McCain
“When a major airline goes on a route that a new entrant has gone into, reduces fares, increases capacity, and then when the new entrant goes off, they leave the route, that's not competition.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Senate Hearing on Airline Competition, 2005
Airlines may claim competition but often withdraw when rivals exit, showing false competition.
In simple terms: Airlines pretend competition, but leave when rivals leave.
Recognize true competition versus token gestures.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- regulatory review
- business strategy
- consumer advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can regulators ensure genuine competition?
- What incentives cause airlines to exit routes?
Competition may be superficial if not sustained; market forces can be manipulated.