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Towards More Sustainable Planning Decisions Around Airports: Investigating Global Airport Classifications and Proposing a Four-Tiered System for Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Isara Khanjanasthiti

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of New England, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia)

  • Bhishna Bajracharya

    (Faculty of Society & Design, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia)

  • Daniel O’Hare

    (Faculty of Society & Design, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia)

Abstract

Airports differ vastly in purpose, scale, land use and activities. Although several criteria and definitions have been used to classify airports worldwide, no universally accepted classification currently exists. The lack of standardisation means an airport could fall under multiple overlapping categories, creating confusion and obscuring its actual role. Australia also lacks an official system that reflects the diverse nature of its airports. This paper addresses that gap by proposing a holistic and integrated four-tiered classification framework for Australian airports. Drawing on an international literature review and comparative policy analysis, the classification is based on four criteria: airport location, governance, network function and passenger profile. To illustrate its practical application, the system is applied to case studies of selected airports representing each tier, as well as airports that overlap between tiers. The proposed classification has the potential to enable more strategic, coordinated and sustainable infrastructure investment and land use decision-making around airports.

Suggested Citation

  • Isara Khanjanasthiti & Bhishna Bajracharya & Daniel O’Hare, 2025. "Towards More Sustainable Planning Decisions Around Airports: Investigating Global Airport Classifications and Proposing a Four-Tiered System for Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5259-:d:1673591
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Grubesic, Tony H. & Matisziw, Timothy C. & Zook, Matthew A., 2009. "Spatio-temporal fluctuations in the global airport hierarchies," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 264-275.
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    3. Isara Khanjanasthiti & Daniel O’Hare & Bhishna Bajracharya, 2025. "Cross-Border Planning for Promoting Economic Development: A Case Study of Gold Coast Airport, Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Suau-Sanchez, Pere & Voltes-Dorta, Augusto & Rodríguez-Déniz, Héctor, 2015. "Regulatory airport classification in the US: The role of international markets," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 157-166.
    5. Peter Spearritt, 2009. "The 200 Km City: Brisbane, The Gold Coast, And Sunshine Coast," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(1), pages 87-106, March.
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