Air Transport and Regional Development (ATARD)

The air transport sector is a major contributor to the globalization of the economy. Its growth was accompanied and to a certain extent caused by liberalization. The growth in traffic levels has led to congestion, at both major airports and in airspace, and to a lack of service on thin routes, thus mainly affecting core regions and remote regions.

This Action investigates the relationship between air transport and regional development. The benefits that may be derived from it are both scientific and societal in nature. They include a better understanding of that relationship focusing on Europe; policy recommendations on how air transport infrastructure and service improvements should be made in order to support economic competitiveness and social cohesion; and the constitution of a network of researchers dedicated to air transport and its economic, social and environmental implications aligned with Europe 2020 strategy.

Aim

The aim of this Action is to promote a better understanding on how the air transport related problems of core regions and remote regions should be addressed in order to enhance both economic competitiveness and social cohesion in Europe.

Objectives

The objectives of this Action are:

• Summarizing the existing knowledge about air transport and regional development focusing, on the one hand, on major airports, core regions (not only at the European level but also per country) and economic competitiveness and, on the other hand, on remote regions, low-demand routes and social cohesion.
• Designing a methodological approach for assessing the regional development impacts of air transport.
• Improving the existing knowledge base through on case studies carried out in thecountries involved in the action. With the information available at this point with respect to participating countries, at least 45 case studies can be expected.
• Developing policy recommendations with respect to air transport related measures and actions needed to promote regional development particularly in core regions and remote regions.
• Identifying major areas for future research on the subject of air transport and regional development.

How to join the Action

To join the Action please follow the current rules available here. You are invited to contact the Action’s Chair Prof. Hans-Martin Niemeier for further information.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE HANDBOOK AND JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE COST ACTION AIR TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT (TU1408 ATARD)

Air transport is generally considered to be a key factor for the economic competitiveness of the most developed regions of a country and for the social welfare of the less developed ones, which often are remote regions difficult to access through other transport modes. However, the relationship between air transport and regional development has not been fully investigated considering all the relevant dimensions. Building advanced knowledge about such relationships, with a focus on Europe, is the main reason for COST Action.

The key debates related to this COST Action, and the gained knowledge and understanding, will be presented in the ATARD handbook and four special issues of relevant academic journals. The handbook, produced by a leading international academic publisher, will offer a well-founded overview of the multiple methods for investigating the relationship between air transport and regional development, drawing from economics, geography, business, political science, public policy and civil, industrial and environmental engineering literatures.

The full papers will be required by 15 September 2018. Click here for general information about the special issues and click here for more information about the publications in journal special issues.

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