Challenges and Recommendations for Secondary and Small Airports in the Presence of Low-Cost Carriers, Based on Case Studies in California

Abstract

Based on the case studies in California, this paper investigates how the operations of the legacy airlines and low cost carriers (LCCs) impact the development of secondary airports. The objective is to identify the key factors driving the dynamics of airport selection by airlines - especially the LCCs - and use this information to identify policies and measures that planners can use to guide the development of secondary airports. The authors also investigate the smaller airports that are too far from the major metropolitan areas to be attractive to LCCs and examine their options for growing and sustaining traffic. Based on a review of literature and interviews with public officials at selected airports in California, the authors make recommendations for steps the secondary and small airports should be taking to improve and sustain airline traffic.