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Up in the air: the role of airports for regional economic development

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  • Richard Florida
  • Charlotta Mellander
  • Thomas Holgersson

Abstract

Our research examines the role of airports in regional development. Specifically, we examine two things: (1) the factors associated with whether or not a metro will have an airport, and (2) the effect of airport activities on regional economic development. Based on multiple regression analysis for U.S. metros, our research generates four key findings. First, airports are more likely to be located in larger metros with higher shares of cultural workers and warmer winters. Second, airports add significantly to regional development measured as economic output per capita. Third, the effect of airports on regional development occurs through two channels—their capacity to move both people and cargo, with the former being somewhat more important. Fourth, the impact of airports on regional development varies with their size and scale. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

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  • Richard Florida & Charlotta Mellander & Thomas Holgersson, 2015. "Up in the air: the role of airports for regional economic development," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 54(1), pages 197-214, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:54:y:2015:i:1:p:197-214
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-014-0651-z
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    Cited by:

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    5. Hubbard, John R. & Mitra, Subhro & Miller, Chad R., 2019. "Analyzing human capital as a component of the aerotropolis model," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 63-70.
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    8. Nuri Baltaci & Ozlem Sekmen & Gizem Akbulut, 2015. "The Relationship between Air Transport and Economic Growth in Turkey: Cross-Regional Panel Data Analysis Approach," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 7(1), pages 89-100.
    9. Cattaneo, Mattia & Malighetti, Paolo & Paleari, Stefano & Redondi, Renato, 2016. "The role of the air transport service in interregional long-distance students’ mobility in Italy," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 66-82.
    10. Pablo Brichetti, Juan & Sánchez González, Santiago & Giraldez, Francisca & Serebrisky, Tomás, 2024. "The airport access gap in Latin America and the Caribbean," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    11. Wu, Hanjun & Hong Tsui, Kan Wai & Ngo, Thanh & Lin, Yi-Hsin, 2023. "Airport subsidies impact on wellbeing of smaller regions: A systemic examination in New Zealand," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 26-36.
    12. Pot, Felix Johan & Koster, Sierdjan, 2022. "Small airports: Runways to regional economic growth?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    13. Carr, Amelia & Biswas, Tania & Wheeler, Jane V., 2020. "Airport operations and security screening: An examination of social justice," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    14. Cheung, Tommy K.Y. & Wong, Collin W.H. & Zhang, Anming, 2020. "The evolution of aviation network: Global airport connectivity index 2006–2016," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    15. Breidenbach, Philipp, 2020. "Ready for take-off? The economic effects of regional airport expansions in Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 54(8), pages 1084-1097.
    16. Pi, Jianhua & Li, Dong & Liu, Xingjian & Freestone, Robert, 2021. "The spatial distribution of employment around major Chinese airports," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    17. Zeigler, Patrick & Pagliari, Romano & Suau-Sanchez, Pere & Malighetti, Paolo & Redondi, Renato, 2017. "Low-cost carrier entry at small European airports: Low-cost carrier effects on network connectivity and self-transfer potential," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 68-79.
    18. Xinxiang Chen & Guanghua Chi & Guangqing Chi, 2018. "Do Airports Boost Economic Development by Attracting Talent? An Empirical Investigation at the Subcounty Level," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 99(1), pages 313-329, March.
    19. Tveter, Eivind, 2017. "The effect of airports on regional development: Evidence from the construction of regional airports in Norway," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 50-58.
    20. Mathias Heidinger & Fabian Wenner & Sebastian Sager & Paul Sussmann & Alain Thierstein, 2023. "Where do knowledge-intensive firms locate in Germany?—An explanatory framework using exponential random graph modeling [Welche Standorte wählen wissensintensive Unternehmen in Deutschland? – Ein Er," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 43(1), pages 101-124, April.
    21. Murakami, Jin & Matsui, Yurika & Kato, Hironori, 2016. "Airport rail links and economic productivity: Evidence from 82 cities with the world’s 100 busiest airports," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 89-99.

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    Keywords

    O2; R00; R4;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General

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