The impact of low-cost carriers on catchment areas of established international airports: The case of Hanover Airport, Germany

Abstract

The rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) is challenging traditional structures in the aviation industries. This article focuses on the impact of LCCs on airports, analyzing the example of Hanover Airport, a medium-sized international airport in Germany. The analysis is based on a survey that included more than 15,000 passengers at Hanover Airport. The survey was sponsored by Hanover Airport and conducted by the Department of Economic Geography of the University of Hanover in 2003. The results show that LCCs can help airports to enlarge their catchment areas and strengthen their competitive position in national aviation markets.