Aviation For Youth
Volodymyr Bilotkach
Professor in Aviation Management, Purdue
Topics: Aviation economics, airport strategy, airline alliances, industry trends, data analysis, academic research
From Kyiv to Purdue: A Global Academic Journey
“My poster as a teenager was the train schedule at Kyiv’s main station.”
Professor Bilotkach’s career began with curiosity: first about transportation, then about markets. From Ukraine to Arizona to the UK, Singapore, UC Davis, and now Purdue, his research has consistently focused on the economics of aviation. Along the way, he’s worked with regulators like the European Commission and airports such as Incheon and Schiphol.
The Economics of Airports
“What works for one airport might doom another.”
Airports aren’t just runways; they’re businesses. He explained that success often depends on scaling operations and maximizing non-aeronautical revenue. Parking makes up nearly 40–45% of U.S. airport income, while in Europe, terminals are designed more like shopping malls. His own Purdue Airport only recently gained commercial service, made possible by building a new terminal named after Amelia Earhart.
Why Airlines Win or Lose
“Staying profitable is only half the battle. Responding to sudden demand drops is the real test.”
From Icelandic carriers going bust to legacy airlines thriving, he emphasized that the industry has become more stable, but still volatile. Labor shortages, aircraft delivery delays, and pilot training gaps remain key challenges. And while some airlines have cracked the profitability code, many still operate on the edge.
Alliances, LCCs, and the Long-Haul Puzzle
“Low-cost carriers keep trying to partner with network airlines. It rarely works.”
Professor Bilotkach broke down the structural divide between low-cost and legacy carriers. While global alliances help small airlines survive, most LCCs can’t integrate due to incompatible models. Meanwhile, long-haul low-cost carriers, like French Bee and Zipair, are carving out a small but growing niche without threatening legacy dominance.
What COVID Changed (and What It Didn’t)
“We thought the pandemic would shift everything. Turns out, it didn’t.”
Despite the shock, the aviation industry is already back on its pre-pandemic growth track. Passenger traffic is set to double in the next 15–20 years, just like before. Cargo, meanwhile, is gaining new attention, especially among smaller airports looking to diversify.
Advice for Students
“Curiosity and creativity. That’s what you need.”
You don’t need to be a pilot to be in aviation. He reminds students that success in this field means asking questions, working with data, and adapting to new tools like AI. And even though large language models are becoming powerful, humans still have to think critically.
