Research and Analytics

Posted on Nov 12th, 2015

Our Research and Analytics group supports a variety of aviation-related client activities by conducting comprehensive research of complex issues and performing rigorous quantitative analyses. As a regulated sector, aviation offers a large amount of data, much of it a holdover from the days of economic regulation. Obtaining, correcting and analyzing these data, though, requires experience and an understanding of the various sources of data, the restrictions on the use of each database, and the means by which they must be adjusted, manipulated, and combined in order to present meaningful information for client decision-making.

TWG undertakes deep research projects and performs quantitative analyses for airports, air carriers, and research institutes. Additionally, when performing quantitative analyses, our industry-expert consultants calibrate and translate the results for real-world applicability and impact. Analyses we routinely conduct encompass: air service development support, airport traffic and movements forecasting, airline economic analysis, analysis of airport trends and activities, and general and business aviation activity forecasting for airports and across countries.

Representative Experience

Analyzing business aviation flights and movements for Singapore and the Southeast Asia region and forecast future activity levels for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in connection with an assignment to help develop business aviation in the country
Prepariing a comprehensive survey of security-related regulations affecting U.S. airports for a potential investor in US airport/transportation facility projects
Completing a comprehensive study for a Japanese transportation research institute on the impact of Open Skies Agreements on the US-Europe and US-Japan air transport markets, including a quantitative study of the impact of Open Skies on the way in which US airlines use airports in both the US and foreign markets, and the impact of Gulf carriers’ services on these markets
In connection with Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to develop general and business aviation in the country, analyzing and forecasting the general and business aviation sector locally and in the region, preparing a detailed strategic plan for developing the sector, and presenting findings to the Cabinet of Ministers, leading to a decision to move forward with plan implementation
Conducting a robust study of aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues at all US commercial airports, and analyzing the impact of Low Cost Carriers on the airports’ revenues
Preparing a comprehensive report for a transportation think tank on multiple-airport markets in the US, including Washington, DC, New York and Chicago, that entailed research and analyses of the regulations and policies underpinning the use of airport authorities in the US and assessment of the interstate compacts under which certain US airports function
Preparing a comparative study of rates and charges at major US and selected international airports for a transportation research institute
Conducting rigorous analyses of the potential impact on competition associated with a proposed airline merger to assess the potential antitrust concerns
Analyzing the impact of antitrust rule changes on future levels and patterns of commercial airline services
Performing analyses of the history, standards and impact of the grant of antitrust immunity to various airline alliances

Read more about our Low-Cost-Carrier research project here