Effects of Access Distance and Level of Service on Airport Choice

Aviation growth over the last two decades has caused traffic volumes at many airports to attain near‐capacity levels. Demand management systems have been used to increase throughput and alleviate congestion where practical. However, airports continue to be increasingly congested. Due to restricted land availability as well as environmental and community concerns, the potential for airport expansion is often limited, and airport authorities increasingly face the prospect of relocating airports. Obviously, the ability of the airport to serve its market is affected by such a relocation. This paper examines the importance of airport proximity as well as the effects of level‐of‐service factors on alternate airport choice. Disaggregate modeling techniques were used in the identification of factors affecting the choice of alternate airports in a limited geographical area (northern New Brunswick, Canada). The research demonstrates the significance of level‐of‐service variables in the airport‐choice decision. Air travelers had a strong preference for jet aircraft and were willing to travel significant ground distances in order to reach an airport offering jet service. The analysis results clearly show that this was the single most important variable in the airport‐choice decision. Other significant level‐of‐service variables were flying‐time difference and whether a direct flight to destination was available.