In many countries, great attention is devoted to the development of regional airports, both to face the congestion situation at the main hubs and to help the economic development of some decentralized areas. In this context, many actors can play an important role, such as airport planners, air companies (including low-cost companies) and users (passengers and/or freight), in producing important demand levels at airports thanks to their travel choices. More studies all over the world concern the analysis of airport systems in order to verify the role of each airport and the effects on the main, congested hub(s). Particularly, an efficient use of resources suggests considering the role of existing, regional airports before starting the building of new airports.

In this light, this book gives an overview of the main topics concerning the different aspects of the potential development of regional airports. In particular, it covers the economic aspects, the role of low-cost companies, the air demand modelling, the airport, airline and access mode choices, the relationships between hub capacity constraints and regional airports growth, together with an overview of the main tendencies, strategies and policies that have been started in EU and Asia. Examples of different airports throughout the world are presented as test cases with respect to the various aspects.

Development of Regional Airports comes as an appropriate and timely reminder that regional airport development is based on economics and practical planning. It is well recommended.

THE AEROSPACE PROFESSIONAL, December 2011.