Final answer:
The sizes of the crew and ground staff are typically proportional to aircraft size, which is true. However, operating costs are not solely determined by distance traveled but also influenced by passenger count, making the second part of the statement false. Increased airline efficiency has also been impacted by regulatory changes, fuller planes, and optimized systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the sizes of the crew and ground staff were typically proportional to the size of the aircraft they served is generally true. Larger aircraft require more personnel for operations such as maintenance and customer service. In contrast, the claim that other operating costs are primarily determined by the distance traveled and not by the number of passengers boarded is false. It is a simplification to suggest that passenger count does not significantly affect operating costs because increasing the number of passengers does influence factors like fuel consumption, catering, and baggage handling.
Modern airline efficiency has been significantly affected by factors like deregulation, which resulted in increased competition, leading to lower airfares and more efficient flight operations. Airlines filled more seats per flight, optimized route systems through hub-and-spoke networks, and experienced a growth in the number of passengers and industry jobs. Furthermore, airlines are now better equipped to provide service to more cities and maintain safety oversight through government inspectors, promoting a safer and more competitive environment.
Nevertheless, a fuller understanding of airline operating costs requires an integrated view that considers both aircraft-specific factors and variables associated with passenger load, among other complexities of airline management and operations.