Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read the following articles:

Oil could vault as high as $150 a barrel, veteran analyst warns, as undersupply meets surging demand

Already soaring gas prices could reach $7 a gallon, one expert warns

Rising fuel costs impacting truck drivers, consumers

Frontier to merge with Spirit Airlines in deal valued at $6.6 billion

Part 1: How should we expect the cost of oil to affect the cost of producing gasoline, diesel and other oil-based products in the US and other parts of the world? Why? What is the effect of changes in gasoline prices on the demand for restaurant meals? Is gasoline an economic complement of restaurant meals? Are restaurant meals an economic complement of gasoline?

Part 2: Describe/explain how Frontier, which is merging with Spirit Airlines, is pursuing economies ofscale. Describe/explain how Frontier is pursuing economies ofscope. How does the merger with Spirit Airlines provide Frontier with potential benefits related tolearning economies?