The Intentional Slowdown of Airplanes Over the past 50 years, airplanes have become slower despite technological advancements. This intentional slowdown prioritizes fuel efficiency and profitability over speed, as faster planes like Concorde proved unsustainable due to high costs, limited passenger capacity, and noise pollution from sonic booms. The supersonic Concorde was discontinued in 2003 after failing to attract enough customers willing to pay its exorbitant prices compared to more economical subsonic flights.
Business Class: A Profit Powerhouse Airlines generate most profits from business class passengers rather than economy travelers. Business class seats occupy significantly more space but yield higher revenue per square foot compared to economy seating. Initially created for last-minute bookings by businessmen who valued time over money, airlines later enhanced comfort and exclusivity in this segment while maintaining premium pricing strategies.
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms Shape Ticket Costs Ticket prices are determined through dynamic algorithms that adjust rates based on demand patterns and competitor pricing. Airlines divide tickets into price tiers; cheaper options sell first before progressively expensive ones open up if demand persists. Seasonal trends also influence ticket availability—tourist routes see increased fares during holidays while business route frequencies decrease at such times.
Challenges Facing Indian Aviation Industry India's aviation sector struggles with government regulations limiting foreign investment (FDI), rising fuel costs, currency depreciation against the dollar alongside operational inefficiencies among domestic carriers like Air India prior acquisition by Tata Group which aims revitalization via mergers & large-scale aircraft orders potentially reducing reliance upon dominant international players e.g., Emirates