In either case, he said competition between the two hospitals keeps prices low.

The aim should be to let competition keep prices near actual cost.

However, competition between management companies normally keeps the spread to within 6-7 per cent.

Instead, international competition was keeping prices low and profits slim.

Such competition, he said, "has kept prices lower than anyone expected."

Future competition on the routes will keep prices down, analysts said.

The limited competition has kept ticket prices among the highest in Asia.

"American Idol" is now in its 10th season and the competition keeps getting tougher.

But competition, he says, keeps him alert for new ways to keep his 3,000 customers happy.

Up to now, competition among the Japanese has kept prices down.