Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,7, International University of Applied Sciences, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with cost drivers in the airline industry. A theoretical approach including examples is used. The objective is to gain a clear understanding of what problems airlines are facing within the industry and about the challenges they have to master concerning cost related topics. What are the key determinants behind cost related figures? This paper consists of five major parts. The first part explains the necessity of costing. Why should this topic be taken into account with regard to the airline industry? Therefore, a presentation of profitability within the industry and the significance of costing is presented. The second part demonstrates an overview of the general spreading of expenses, while the third part displays the categorization of costs. This is crucial for a clear understanding of the business; therefore, non-operating aspects have to be excluded. The last section deals with cost topics from different perspectives, such as e.g. total cost, unit cost or external cost factors. Essential matters such as the controllability of costs or BELF are additionally taken into account.