Abstract This paper investigates the development of low cost carriers (LCCs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from a broader perspective. We use passenger volume data at the airline and flight segment levels to illustrate the development of LCCs in the region; we conduct a structured comparison of the actual business model characteristics of the MENA-based LCCs to assess their adherence to the archetypical LCC business model; and we compile the key barriers to LCC growth in MENA from the literature. We find that the overall market share of LCCs in MENA is still below the world average – despite high growth in recent years. The presence of LCCs varies considerably between MENA countries and route groups. The more upscale, “Jetblue”-style business model, where passengers benefit from additional, complementary services or product characteristics, prevails. Political tensions, adverse regulations and lower levels of liberalization compared to Europe or North America negatively affect LCC development in many MENA countries. While low middle-class proportions appear to be a challenge for low cost business models, Asian diaspora and tourism – from beach holidays to pilgrimage – seem to induce additional demand.

中文翻译：

---

中东和北非 (MENA) 地区的低成本航空公司：出现和发展障碍

摘要 本文从更广泛的角度研究了中东和北非 (MENA) 地区低成本航空公司 (LCC) 的发展。我们使用航空公司和航段层面的客运量数据来说明该地区低成本航空公司的发展；我们对基于 MENA 的 LCC 的实际商业模式特征进行结构化比较，以评估它们对原型 LCC 商业模式的遵守情况；我们从文献中汇编了 MENA 中 LCC 增长的主要障碍。我们发现中东和北非地区低成本航空公司的整体市场份额仍低于世界平均水平——尽管近年来增长迅速。中东和北非国家和航线组之间 LCC 的存在差异很大。更高档的“Jetblue”式商业模式，乘客可以从额外的、互补的服务或产品特性，占上风。与欧洲或北美相比，政治紧张局势、不利的法规和较低的自由化水平对许多 MENA 国家的低成本航空公司的发展产生了负面影响。虽然中产阶级比例偏低似乎对低成本商业模式构成挑战，但亚洲侨民和旅游业——从海滩度假到朝圣——似乎引发了额外的需求。