Analysis of Connectivity and Mobility Changes for Mainliner Air Traffic on a Global Scale

Abstract

When it comes to international mobility, air connections are crucial for transporting passengers over long distances in the fastest possible way. This paper provides an analysis with focus on the investigation of connectivity and mobility changes in relation to mainliner air traffic considering the 200 cities with the largest GDP per capita on global scale. Following the results of previous studies that have shown a linkage between air connectivity and GDP development, this analysis examines flight schedule data from 2000 and 2019. From these findings, non-, one- and two-stop connections originating from the airports located in the surrounding area of the 200 cities considered were analyzed. Connectivity between the 200 cities with largest GDP per capita on global scale has increased by about 20% considering non-stop and about 6% considering one-stop connections. Growth of the connections of the cities under consideration mainly affected Europe as well as North America with East Asia. Geographical location and the range of aircraft types play a role in the possibility of direct connections. European cities are well connected, and only the frequency of connections has increased noticeably between 2000 and 2019. The use of small air transport could further increase connectivity. Based on the East Asian growth figures of the past years, a trend for the future can be derived, according to which increasing demand on routes to Europe and North America will increase the need for long-haul aircraft to serve demand through direct flights.