Final answer:
The hub-and-spoke system is a flight routing system that facilitates travel between smaller cities through connections at central hubs. This system made air travel more efficient and less expensive post-deregulation and contributed to the growth of the airline industry, doubling the number of passengers and jobs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question refers to the hub-and-spoke system actively used by airlines. This system came into prominence after the deregulation of the airline industry, which led to increased competition and lower airfares. The deregulation not only saved consumers billions of dollars but also made the industry more efficient and expanded employment opportunities.
The hub-and-spoke model allows airlines to operate flights from various spokes, or smaller cities, to a central hub where passengers can connect to other flights heading to their final destination. This increased efficiency, filling an average of two-thirds of the plane's seats compared to just half before deregulation. As a result, passengers were able to travel between cities with ease, often requiring just one transfer, while airlines managed to provide service to more cities.
Furthermore, the model contributed to the surge in the number of air passengers, effectively doubling from the late 1970s to the start of the 2000s. The increase in passengers also contributed to the doubling of employment in the airline industry. While this growth brought many benefits, it also led to concerns regarding market competition, particularly when mergers occurred like those seen in the U.S. airline industry.