Evaluating economic and environmental efficiency of global airlines: A SBM-DEA approach

•Weak disposability SBM-DEA model used to examine economic and environmental efficiency of 27 airlines.•Asia-based airlines are generally more efficient.•Fuel consumption is a major cause of inefficient airlines.

This study examined the economic and environmental efficiency of 27 global airlines in 2010. An extended environmental slacks-based measure data envelopment analysis model with the weak disposability assumption was developed to assess the efficiency of the airlines. Asia-based airlines are generally more efficient, followed by European and American airlines. The poor fuel consumption is a major cause of inefficient airlines both in economic and environmental aspects.