投中网·2025-05-22 06:20Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the contrasting fortunes within the low-cost airline industry, exemplified by the struggles of Happy Airlines against the backdrop of profitable competitors like Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines. It emphasizes that the challenges faced by Happy Airlines stem from internal issues rather than the overall industry climate [5][8][15]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The low-cost airline sector has seen significant growth, with the market share of low-cost carriers in the Asia-Pacific region increasing from 28.1% in 2020 to 32.4% in 2024 for domestic routes, and from 8.4% to 18.6% for international routes [11]. - In China, the low-cost airline market accounted for only 8.1% of domestic routes as of last year, indicating substantial growth potential as the market matures [11]. - Projections suggest that by 2025, the Chinese low-cost airline market could exceed 120 billion yuan, representing 25% of the total civil aviation transport market, with an annual compound growth rate of 18% [11][12]. Group 2: Happy Airlines' Struggles - Happy Airlines has faced continuous operational challenges since its inception, including a lack of profitability and high debt levels, with a reported asset-liability ratio exceeding 200% as of April this year [19][20]. - The airline's fleet primarily consists of the New Zhou 60 aircraft, which has not been well-received in the market, compounded by competition from high-speed rail networks [19]. - Despite attempts to diversify its fleet by introducing Boeing 737 aircraft, the airline's financial situation worsened due to the pandemic and increased operational costs [19][20]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Major low-cost carriers like Spring Airlines have established strong market positions through efficient operational strategies, such as maximizing seating capacity and minimizing operational costs [24][25]. - Traditional full-service airlines are increasingly competing in the low-cost segment, leading to price wars that blur the lines between low-cost and full-service offerings [28][29]. - The overall aviation industry is experiencing "profit anxiety," with average ticket prices declining significantly, impacting profitability across the board [30][31].