Winds of Change Domestic Air Transport Since Deregulation -- Special Report 230

Commercial aviation was one of the first industries affected by the controversial regulatory reforms that began in the 1970s. Beginning in 1975, administrative reforms of the Civil Aeronautics Board gave carriers greater freedom in discounting prices and serving new markets. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 removed restrictions on entry, pricing, and routes. Still unresolved in policy and practice, however, is the question of the appropriate role of government. In the interest of informing the public debate about deregulation, the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board convened a committee of 15 experts to review air passenger service and safety since deregulation. The findings of the committee and its recommendations are presented in this report.