Which term describes an airline network formed by a hub, or a large airport, connected to other smaller airports called spokes?

• A. Hub-and-spoke system
• B. Incentive
• C. Indirect channel
• D. Informational interview

Answer: (A)

Think of how airline routes are organized around a central point. A hub-and-spoke system describes an airline network built around a central hub airport that connects to many smaller airports, the spokes. This setup concentrates passenger traffic at the hub, making it easier to connect travelers from numerous origins to a wide range of destinations with efficient scheduling and aircraft utilization. It also allows airlines to offer many more indirect connections through the hub than would be feasible with direct flights from every city to every other city.

The other terms don’t describe this kind of network design. An incentive is a motivating reward used to influence behavior, not a description of how flight routes are arranged. An indirect channel refers to a distribution path that includes intermediaries, which is about how products or services move to customers, not about airline routing structure. An informational interview is a research conversation used to gather career or market insights, not about how an airline network is organized.