European airline networks and their implications for airport planning

The trans-European airport network aims to assist in the provision of infrastructure to ensure adequate air service. It has been identified on the basis of historic traffic, rather than assessing how airlines will use the airports in the future. The paper describes the European setting, then it examines the early responses of European airlines to liberalization, comparing these initiatives to those of the U.S. airlines following deregulation. The implications of policies affecting the provision of airport capacity are discussed. The attractions to airlines of various forms of network are examined, including those based on gateway, hinterland and by-pass hubs, as well as direct point-to-point services. Increasing roles are seen for airports in secondary cities, particularly on the edge of the heartland of Europe. Secondary airports in the major metropolitan areas should also provide an important source of competitive service. New gateways might be hard to justify, except on political grounds.