Research on the development of air transport has focused to date mainly on the operating conditions of airlines, airports and the effects of government regulatory bodies. This paper attempts to fill the gap between descriptive research on aviation and mathematical models of air transport. It presents, for the first time, a complete methodology which could serve as a basis for future air transport research. It also attempts to dispel the idea that empirical research is the only way to investigate this phenomenon. Rather than presupposing an abstract theory about airline operations, we detail the dynamics of air transport and examine the mechanisms behind this process. Three factors are used to analyse the results of this process: costs, level of service and market share.

    We have identified six phases in the development of air transport. It begins as a pattern of scattered airports. Gradually more comprehensive air routes develop between cities, which leads to a maximum degree of connection. Moreover, a more efficient spatial order is achieved through a fully‐connected network structure. In combination with the growth of an efficient operating system, a central hub facility develops. We take these economies one step further by including the process of de‐hubbing. We conclude that this last phase can only be realised when airlines, airports and government regulatory bodies are in equilibrium. We believe that this theory can help facilitate future air transport research and make a significant contribution to an analysis of the airline industry.


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    Title :

    A theory of air transport development


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1996-09-01


    Size :

    13 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




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