New Cambridge Aviation Research Report: Antitrust Concerns Unlikely to Stop Southwest-AirTran Merger

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) November 12, 2010

The proposed merger between Southwest and AirTran is unlikely to be blocked on antitrust grounds according to a new report from Cambridge Aviation Research. The Quick Take report, "Southwest's proposed merger with AirTran likely to pass antitrust review," uses domestic market share data to estimate the effects of the proposed merger on competition at the industry-, airport-, and route-levels. The report quantifies likely reductions in competition for each overlap market using the Herfindahl?Hirschman Index and compares them to merger guidelines recently updated by the Department of Justice.

"We find more airports and routes red-flagged in our analysis of this proposed merger than for United-Continental, but fewer passengers are likely to be affected," said Jeffrey Breen, president of Cambridge Aviation Research and lead author of the report. The report similarly red-flags 33 routes, including 16 pushed into monopoly status. "We find the most cause for concern in Baltimore and Orlando which together account for more than 80% of passengers traveling along red-flagged routes," Breen added, "but competitors are already established at these airports who could choose to serve many of these routes."

Key findings include:

???? The proposed merger would return domestic market concentration to the levels of the late 1990s. Even on the heels of the recent Delta-Northwest and United-Continental mergers, the combination of Southwest and AirTran would merely return the market to the levels of competition present in the late 1990s and well below the DOJ's threshold for "moderate" concentration.
???? At the airport level, 18 U.S. airports are red-flagged for increases in market concentration exceeding DOJ guidelines. From most-affected to least: Baltimore (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW), Orlando International (MCO), Houston Hobby (HOU), Tampa (TPA), Indianapolis (IND), Fort Meyers (RSW), Columbus (CMH), Buffalo (BUF), Milwaukee (MKE), Jacksonville (JAX), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), San Antonio (SAT), New Orleans (MSY), Kansas City (MCI), St. Louis (STL), Palm Beach (PBI), and Las Vegas (LAS).
???? Of the 33 routes red-flagged, 16 are pushed into monopoly status. The red-flagged route list includes the combined carrier's second-busiest route, Baltimore-Orlando, whose one million annual passengers stand to lose airline choice as this proposed merger pushes the route into monopoly.

The Quick Take report is 18 pages long, contains 8 figures, and 4 tables (also provided in expanded spreadsheet form) and is available for purchase and download from http://www.cambridge.aero/store

About Cambridge Aviation Research

Cambridge Aviation Research has provided custom research and analysis to select industry clients since 2005. With the recent launch of syndicated research offerings, our insight and analysis can help a wider audience navigate these challenging times for the industry.

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Global Smartphones Market to Reach 1641.82 Million Units by 2017, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) May 02, 2011

Smartphones, the unison of mobile phones and other handheld devices, have become a hot topic in the global market based on its ability to play digital music, provide wireless Internet access, display color video, and provide basic mobile phone as well as typical handheld functions. A major portion of wireless users has migrated toward from voice-only handsets to feature-rich mobile devices such as smartphones that enable advanced messaging, email, browsing, data services (such as applications, media, location services), instant messaging, navigation, and MMS. The major catalysts for this trend are a confluence of various factors, such as mobilization of business, improved carrier focus on offering data services, faster 3G networks, third party mobile applications, and advanced handset technologies that offer compelling user experiences, in terms of display, battery, interface, form factor, and processor. Also, the price-performance ratio over the years had modulated to accommodate the rising communication, information, and entertainment needs of wireless users. Although the year 2009 was a difficult year for smartphones than previous years, the feature-rich devices ducked the negative growth trend in mobile device market. The growth of smartphones market is attributed to changes in consumer tastes, and manufacturers planned new solutions, such as the launch of new products with real added value.

Smartphones market is not impervious to the economic slowdown but remains resilient compared to general handset market. Smartphones is isolated from the wider economic cycle as pricing becomes more competitive, and underlying consumer perception that they will get better value for money by purchasing high-end devices. The year 2009 witnessed rapid and remarkable changes in smartphone sector, particularly in the area of operating systems. Exceptional third-party software ecosystems, such as Android OS, demonstrated its commercial viability and value. This year telecommunication service provider also made progress in 3G telecom networks arena thereby delivering value through competitive rate plans and diverse range of mobile digital services. All these factors encouraged increasing number of consumers to transition from traditional mobile phones devices to smartphones. While the 2009 sales figures for smartphones present a mixed picture, the year 2010 has seen a sort of mini boom. Smartphone market has staged a smart recovery in the year 2010, thus allaying fears over the possible continuation of the disruptive impact of the recession into the future.

Revived by latest generation of smartphones offering compelling new services to the consumer, and heavy promotions by key carrier partners delivered a source of data revenue in tough market conditions. Smartphone vendors are also catching-up in the App department, which has only turned out to be a key revenue generator for vendors and their wireless carrier partners but also a decisive factor in consumers? buying decisions. However, vendors cannot remain complacent, as the years 2011 & 2012 is expected to be highly competitive with vendors seeking the use of new technology, such as NFC, 3D displays, and dual-core processors, to differentiate their products and maintain price margin.

As stated by the new market research report, Europe and Asia-Pacific accounts for a major share of the global smartphones market. By Operating System, Android is garnering increasing market share, threatening the existence of Symbian. Android is expected to become the dominant mobile OS attracting nearly half a billion users by the year 2015. Competition in this market is fierce, and Nokia?s recent alliance with Microsoft to power the next generation of smartphones with Windows Phone 7 OS is forecast to turn on the heat, especially for Google?s Android OS, and Apple's iOS. Global market for Windows OS is expected to surge at a CAGR of 38.2% over the analysis period.

Major players in the global marketplace include Apple Inc, Fujitsu Limited, Hewlett-Packard Development Company, High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), Motorola Mobility Inc, Nokia Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Research In Motion Limited, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Sharp Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Google Inc, Microsoft Corporation, Symbian Foundation, among others.

The research report titled ?Smartphones: A Global Strategic Business Report? announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections (in units) for major geographic markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Operating segments analyzed include Symbian, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows, and Others.

For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit ? http://www.strategyr.com/Smart_Phones_Smartphones_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world?s largest market research publishers. The company employs over 800 people worldwide and publishes more than 1200 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers thousands of smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone: 408-528-9966

Fax: 408-528-9977

E-mail: press(at)StrategyR(dot)com

Web Site: http://www.StrategyR.com/

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