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New directions in aviation controlling – a systematic review

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2026-02-23
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eszter Kárpáti

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Kárpáti, E. (2026). New directions in aviation controlling – a systematic review. Economica, 17(1-2), 21-33. https://doi.org/10.47282/economica/2026/17/1-2/16181
Abstract

The aviation industry has become a rapidly growing sector in a turbulent environment over the past decade, especially in the case of ULCC (Ultra Low-Cost Carrier) airlines in Europe. The growth of these kinds of airlines has led to volatile airport revenues, further diversified by AI and digitalisation. The aim of this paper is to analyse, through a systematic review, the role of controlling methods in this context, with a particular focus on Europe and the Central and Eastern European market. The research was conducted using the PRISMA method on the Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering the period 2005–2025. The study is structured around three main topics: cost-cutting methods of ULCC airlines, opportunities for increasing airport revenues, and the effects of digitalisation on the aviation industry, especially on controlling systems. The results show that controlling methods are not uniform and are often unable to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and operational complexity. One of the main conclusions of this research is that it may be worthwhile to create an entirely new, industry-specific controlling method that synthesises the principles of ULCC operations, airport management, and the improvement opportunities brought by digitalisation. The primary goal of this paper is to provide a foundation for further research and for the development of such a model.

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