Assessing demand and supply substitutability in Brazilian international aviation: a network theory approach for antitrust analysis

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Publicado: 2025-06-25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52896/rdc.v13i1.1932
Palavras-chave:
aviation, network, antitrust, competition, hub-and-spoke, merger

Conteúdo do artigo principal

Gabriel Oliveira de Alarcão
Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3055-0632
Eduardo Roberto Zana
Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3107-5096
Tomás de Siervi Barcellos
Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7041-6279

Resumo

Context: The definition of the relevant market in the international aviation sector varies among antitrust authorities, with some focusing on origin-destination (O&D) routes and others incorporating broader or narrower criteria. While the European Commission emphasizes the O&D approach and acknowledges the impact of the hub-and-spoke model on supply-side substitutability, debates persist regarding the role of network effects and the substitutability of direct and indirect flights.


Objective: The aim of this article is to contribute to the debate by applying quantitative methods based on network theory to identify the existence of demand and supply substitutability between international routes departing from or arriving in Brazil, enabling a more accurate analysis in mergers and acquisitions processes affecting the Brazilian international aviation market.


Method: The adoption of quantitative methods (utilizing network indicators) alongside qualitative approaches to analyze substitutability on both the demand and supply sides within the international aviation sector.


Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of adopting a network-based approach to evaluate substitutability in the international aviation sector. By analyzing both demand and supply- side factors, it provides insights into how route connectivity and airline behavior influence market dynamics. The findings underline the necessity of incorporating network dynamics into antitrust evaluations, offering a foundation for further research into the competitive implications of route structures and airline strategies.

Detalhes do artigo

Edição

v. 13 n. 1 (2025): Revista de Defesa da Concorrência

Seção

Revista de Defesa da Concorrência
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Biografia do Autor

Gabriel Oliveira de Alarcão, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)

Bacharel e mestrando em Economia pela Universidade de Brasília (UnB). Chefe de Serviço no Departamento de Estudos Econômicos (DEE) do Cade.

Eduardo Roberto Zana, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)

Doutor em Economia da Indústria e da Tecnologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Especialista em Regulação de Petróleo e Derivados, Álcool Combustível e Gás Natural. Coordenador substituto de Análise de Atos de Concentração no Departamento de Estudos Econômicos (DEE) no Cade.

Tomás de Siervi Barcellos, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (DEE/Cade)

Bacharel em Ciências Econômicas pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) e mestre em Ciências Sociais pela Universidade de Brasília (UnB). Economista do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa). Coordenador de Análise de Atos de Concentração no Departamento de Estudos Econômicos (DEE) no Cade.

Como Citar

Assessing demand and supply substitutability in Brazilian international aviation:: a network theory approach for antitrust analysis. Revista de Defesa da Concorrência, Brasília, v. 13, n. 1, p. p. 228–256, 2025. DOI: 10.52896/rdc.v13i1.1932. Disponível em: https://revista.cade.gov.br/index.php/revistadedefesadaconcorrencia/article/view/1932. Acesso em: 30 jun. 2025.

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