Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350

Kaijie Chen

doi:10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797311.20261007

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Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350

Volume 10, Issue 7

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Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350
Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350
Dulwich College Beijing, Beijing, 101300, China
Vol. 10, Issue 7, Pages: 59-64(2026)
Published：30 July 2026
DOI：10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797311.20261007
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Chen Kaijie.Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350[J].Development Economics of China,2026,10(07):59-64.
DOI：

Chen Kaijie.Fleet Modernization and Airline Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of the Airbus A350[J].Development Economics of China,2026,10(07):59-64. DOI： 10.47297/wspdecWSP2515-797311.20261007.

摘要

Abstract

This study examines how fleet modernization

specifically integrating the Airbus A350

affects airline profitability and operational efficiency amidst growing macroeconomic uncertainty. Using a 15-year longitudinal panel dataset of five major Asian carriers

we estimate fixed-effects regression models to evaluate the aircraft's impact on unit costs (CASM) and unit revenues (RASM). Our results show that while the A350 carries high initial capital costs

it significantly reduces CASM once passenger load factors exceed a critical threshold of 84.2%. Notably

during the post-pandemic period of elevated fuel prices

the aircraft functioned as a crucial "physical hedge" against cost inflation. On the revenue side

the A350 drove abnormal yield premiums during the pandemic due to its superior belly-cargo capacity

a revenue advantage that persisted into the post-pandemic recovery. We conclude that adopting versatile

fuel-efficient widebody aircraft is a fundamental strategy for maintaining financial resilience in volatile aviation markets.

关键词

Keywords

references

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) . ( 2026 ). Middle East Disruptions and High Fuel Prices Halve Airline Industry Profitability . IATA Pressroom .

Merkert R. , & Hensher D . A . ( 2011 ). The impact of strategic management and fleet planning on airline efficiency . Transportation Research Part E : Logistics and Transportation Review , 47 ( 5 ), 646 - 655 .

Smith J . ( 2021 ). Cargo in Cabin: How Airlines Navigated the Pandemic . Aviation Week & Space Technology .

World Airline News . ( 2026 ). Ethiopian Airlines builds success on Airbus A350 Preighter .

World Economic Forum . ( 2021 ). Aviation industry suffers 'worst year in history' as COVID-19 grounds international travel . WEF Global Agenda .

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