Improving connectivity at hub airports

Abstract

The paper addresses some critical success factors of hub development. Some factors are ‘natural’ and not to be influenced by any policies, such as the geographical location strength of the home markets of the hub airport. Other factors are more ‘strategic’, such as acquiring traffic rights, coordination between arrival and departure flights, airfares or connecting time at the hub. The paper shows a methodology of measuring the performance of hub airports in connecting markets using the NetScan model. This model utilises two perspectives. The ‘supply’ perspective looks at connectivity — how many realistic (direct and indirect) connections exist between two points — while the ‘demand’ perspective looks at the market share particular hubs can obtain in specific markets. This methodology is illustrated using the example of Cairo Airport and the specific market between North Africa and the Middle East. Although Cairo has favourable ‘natural’ conditions, its performance as a hub is poor. Some recommendations for schedule changes are made as well as the related improvements in the performance of this hub. It is concluded that relatively minor changes made to schedules and connecting times may lead to significant improvement in the performance of hub airports.