Effects of Regional Airports in the Air Transport System : The Case of Switzerland

This paper deals with intangible economic effects of Swiss regional airports (Altenrhein, Bern, Grenchen, Sion, Lugano, Samedan) on the air transport system of Switzerland. The focus lies on network, structure and competence effects. These are evaluated qualitatively from different perspectives. Furthermore, a quantitative survey with companies across industries was conducted in the different regions of the airports. The importance of the airports for these companies was identified. Competence effects are found in the fields of pilots education, aviation leisure activities and the technological competence on and near regional airports. Structural effects appear through the accessibility of regions, the possibility of relief of national airports especially by the business aviation and some charter movements, medical supply of air rescue services and the infrastructure for aviation education and air sports. Furthermore, a network analysis of the airports' business partners shows the connectedness of the regional airports nationwide.
The results reveal that regional airports do have a relevant function in the Swiss air transport system. Regional airports do not stand in direct competition with each other, but rather complement each other to the benefit of the national air transport system. The network decentrally developed over time and exists without a central control. The network which is activated through the regional airports is not sufficiently used and recognised by the players