US hubs: covid has not altered the airlines' dominant position

Based on figures from the US Bureau of Transportation, the market shares of the major US airlines at their main hubs have not changed radically as a result of the Covid crisis.

In the majority of airports analysed, the US mega-carriers (American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest) have consolidated or even made slight progress on their hubs. This is shown by the comparative passenger statistics for the period June 2021-May 2022 (latest figures available) compared with June 2018-May 2019. The figures refer only to domestic trafficBut they are a good indicator of a carrier's dominance.

Atlanta is the hub with the least competition. At the number one airport in the US (and the world) in terms of passenger numbers, Delta Air Lines continues to assert its dominance. Its passenger market share has risen from 72.81% pre-covid to 73.28% for the period June 2021-May 2022. The carrier is thus crushing its main competitor Southwest, whose market share has nevertheless risen from 8.82% to 10.26%.

The second highest growth rate for a carrier at a hub was again achieved by Delta Air Lines in Detroit. The carrier's market share increased by 5.38 points, from 48.02% to 53.40%. At Seattle and Washington Dulles, the growth rates of the dominant carrier (Alaska Airlines for the 1st, United for the 2nd) fluctuate between 4 and 5 points.; à Denver, United Airlines strengthens with an increase of 2.18 points to 33.44% market share. But at the same time, its closest competitor, Southwest, is up by the same proportion at +2.25 points (31.78% market share).

Delta dominates in Atlanta, while Los Angeles is the most balanced hub in the United States

At some airports, however, the dominant airline is in decline. The most spectacular falls were recorded at two American Airlines hubs. The first is at MiamiThe American giant's market share is declining by more than 10 points. American's passenger market share for the 2021-2022 period under review is 59.41%. This compares with 69.65% before the covid! American also recorded a decline of more than 6.5 points at its Philadelphia. The airline remains dominant, but with only 40.24% of the total number of passengers, compared with almost 47% in 2018-2019.

Houston Intercontinental also saw United Airlines' market share fall by 3.14 points. United is now below the 50% mark in terms of passenger traffic share...

This is in stark contrast to Atlanta, one of the most competitive hubs in the United States, Chicago O'Hare, saw a drop in market share for its two main airlinesUnited and American. United Airlines fell below the 30% mark with just 29.72% of total hub passengers, while American Airlines now accounts for 25n20% of all hub passengers.

However, the most competitive hub remains Los Angeles. where four airlines have significant market shares. American and Delta slightly dominate with a market share of 20.59% and 18.94% respectively, while United Airlines follows with 15.12%. Southwest, however, shows a decline of more than 3.5 points, with a market share of 12.55% in 2021/2022. This compares with 16.07% in 2018/2019.

American airlines dominate major hubs

(Source: US Department of Transportation)