Pre-Evaluating Efficiency Analysis of Mergers and Acquisitions of Full-Service Carriers in Korea

Hyoseok Chang; Dohyun Kim

doi:10.46604/emsi.2023.11944

Authors

Hyoseok Chang Department of Air Transportation & Logistics, Hanseo University, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea
Dohyun Kim Department of Air Transportation & Logistics, Hanseo University, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46604/emsi.2023.11944

Keywords:

airline, full-service carrier, DEA, supper-efficiency, mergers and acquisitions

Abstract

In November 2020, Korean Air signs an agreement to acquire and merges with 63.88% of Asiana Airlines’ shares, which is conditionally approved by the Korea Fair Trade Commission to address exclusivity concerns. The conditions require both airlines to return certain take-off or landing positions and revise their licenses for 26 international and 8 domestic routes within 10 years. This paper collects passenger traffic data from 2009 to 2019 using Korean data analysis, retrieval, and transfer systems employed by both airlines. Data envelopment analysis is utilized to assess their performance assuming the merger and acquisition. The analysis reveals that Korean Air’s super-efficiency performance in 2011 is the highest among all decision making units (DMUs). The best super-efficiency performance is achieved not only by individual companies but also by the combined enterprise in 2019.

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