Dynamic mechanisms of air logistics driving regional economic development in inland mountainous areas: An exploration of key factors and their multifaceted impacts

Due to the unique terrain features, industrial requirements, and geographical positioning of inland mountainous areas, air logistics serves as a crucial catalyst for regional economic development. However, it encounters distinct development challenges and limited financial resources, making the optimization of fund allocation and the creation of endogenous growth dynamics significant. This study aims to establish a new theoretical framework and research tool for simulating policy effects and providing recommendations for these specific areas. An air logistics-regional economy (AL&RE) system framework is constructed in this study. Using Sichuan Province of China as a case study, the system dynamics (SD) model is simulated and integrated with the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model to explore key factors influencing regional economic development and system coordination. The results indicate that: (1) Air logistics infrastructure, operational capacity, and sustainability all influence regional economic output and structure, with sustainability exerting the most significant impact, followed by operational capacity and infrastructure, albeit with some delay. (2) Under various funding allocation strategies, the coupling coordination between AL&RE consistently improved, except for fluctuations during the pandemic. (3) The effectiveness of infrastructure, operational capacity, and sustainability in driving system coordination contrasts with their effects on economic development. However, in the long term, their influence aligns with other factors as the CCD approaches 1. Finally, phased policies were designed for Sichuan and can serve as a reference for other inland mountainous areas. This research introduces a new theoretical framework and fresh insights for the study of AL&RE, along with a novel model approach that integrates SD and CCD models, which complement each other's limitations. Through multi-level policy simulation and analysis, the study offers in-depth insights into Sichuan's current policies and provides practical policy recommendations.