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Border effects in European air passenger transport

Author

Listed:
  • Jakub Daněk
  • Frédéric Dobruszkes

Abstract

In a highly integrated Europe where freedom of movement is guaranteed by law, national borders should not pose any barriers to transportation. However, evidence suggests otherwise. National borders still appear to impede passenger transport. This paper aims to estimate the magnitude of border effects and their determinants within the context of European air passenger transport. A gravity model incorporating a unique combination of determinants of both air transport and border effects is estimated. The results indicate that cross-border routes are associated with a 74.3% decrease in seat capacity and a 72.2% decrease in total frequency relative to comparable domestic routes. Border effects are reduced between countries that share a language and between countries that experience significant migration flows. Furthermore, based on a country-pair analysis, we found that borders in Western Europe act as lower barriers than those in Central-Eastern Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Jakub Daněk & Frédéric Dobruszkes, 2026. "Border effects in European air passenger transport," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/413757, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:ulb:ulbeco:2013/413757
    Note: SCOPUS: ar.j
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maddalena Conte & Pierre Cotterlaz & Thierry Mayer, 2022. "The CEPII Gravity Database," Working Papers 2022-05, CEPII research center.
    2. Philip McCann & Jacques Poot & Lynda Sanderson, 2010. "Migration, relationship capital and international travel: theory and evidence," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 10(3), pages 361-387, May.
    3. Matthias Helble, 2007. "Border Effect Estimates for France and Germany Combining International Trade and Intranational Transport Flows," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 143(3), pages 433-463, October.
    4. Tomas Havranek & Zuzana Irsova, 2017. "Do Borders Really Slash Trade? A Meta-Analysis," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 65(2), pages 365-396, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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