Matkustajahintamenetelmä

Matkustajahintamenetelmä, known in English as the passenger-mile cost method or per-passenger-mile rate, is a concept used in transportation economics and pricing to determine the cost or revenue associated with transporting a passenger over a specific distance. It is calculated by multiplying the number of passengers by the distance they travel, usually expressed in miles or kilometers. This metric is particularly relevant in industries like airlines, railways, and public bus services.

The primary application of the matkustajahintamenetelmä is to understand and compare the efficiency and profitability of different routes or services. For instance, an airline might use this method to assess whether a long-haul flight with a high number of passengers is more or less profitable per passenger-mile than a shorter flight with fewer passengers. It helps in setting fares, analyzing operational costs, and making strategic decisions about network planning and resource allocation.

While useful, the matkustajahintamenetelmä has limitations. It simplifies complex cost structures by treating all passengers and all miles equally, which may not reflect the reality of varying costs for different types of passengers (e.g., business vs. leisure) or different operational conditions (e.g., peak vs. off-peak travel). Furthermore, it doesn't account for non-passenger-related costs, such as cargo revenue or aircraft maintenance, which are also part of the overall transportation business. Despite these limitations, it remains a widely used and valuable tool for basic economic analysis in the passenger transportation sector.