University of Lugano, Switzerland Faculty of Economics
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University of Lugano, Switzerland Faculty of Economics Regional airports in Switzerland – Same country, equivalent opportunities? An analysis with a focus on Lugano Agno Airport Master’s dissertation Author: Luca A. Giordani Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rico Maggi Second Reader: Prof. Dr. Peter Keller Academic year: 2012/2013 Submission Date: September 2013 Luca A. Giordani Table of contents List of figures and pictures ................................................................................................. VI List of abbreviations and acronyms.................................................................................. VIII Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 Research objectives .............................................................................................................3 Methodology.........................................................................................................................4 Outline ..................................................................................................................................5 1. Air traffic in past and present times..........................................................................6 1.1 Evolution of passenger numbers....................................................................................6 1.2 A business environment in transition..............................................................................8 1.2.1 Airlines.....................................................................................................................8 1.2.2 Airports ......................................................................................................................10 2. Insights on the evolution of regional air services worldwide ..................................13 2.1 Regional airports under stress .....................................................................................13 2.2 Short-haul air services vs. surface transport ................................................................15 3. Regional airports and air services in Switzerland ..................................................18 3.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................18 3.1.1 Evolution of services .................................................................................................19 3.2 Sion International Airport (SIR) ....................................................................................20 3.3 St. Gallen Altenrhein Airport (ACH)..............................................................................21 3.4 Bern Belp Airport (BRN) ...............................................................................................24 3.4.1 History and Overview ............................................................................................24 3.4.2 Network .................................................................................................................27 3.4.3 Infrastructure and Access......................................................................................28 3.4.4 Catchment Area and Outbound.............................................................................30 3.4.5 Inbound and Transfer ............................................................................................32 3.4.6 Overall economic importance and state of competition.........................................33 3.4.7 Non-Aviation revenues ..........................................................................................35 3.4.8 Outlook ..................................................................................................................35 3.4.9 SWOT....................................................................................................................37 4. Lugano Agno Airport (LUG) ...................................................................................38 4.1 History and Overview ...................................................................................................38 4.2 Network ........................................................................................................................40 II Luca A. Giordani 4.3 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................42 4.3.1 FOCA restrictions ..................................................................................................42 4.3.2 Runway..................................................................................................................44 4.3.3 Other infrastructure relevant issues.......................................................................46 4.3.3.1 Apron parking .............................................................................................................. 46 4.3.3.2 Non-Schengen Terminal.............................................................................................. 46 4.4 Access..........................................................................................................................47 4.4.1 Road access..........................................................................................................47 4.4.2 Public transport......................................................................................................47 4.4.3 Access infrastructure projects ...............................................................................48 4.5 Catchment area and Outbound ....................................................................................50 4.5.1 Passenger profile and demand outbound..............................................................52 4.5.2 Importance of (local) agencies ..............................................................................56 4.6 Inbound ........................................................................................................................57 4.6.1 Destination Lugano / Ticino...................................................................................57 4.6.2 Transfer passengers..............................................................................................58 4.7 Overall economic importance and state of competition................................................58 4.7.1 Financial performance...........................................................................................58 4.7.2 Airport competition.................................................................................................59 4.7.2.1 Milano Malpensa (MXP) .............................................................................................. 60 4.7.2.2 Milano Linate (LIN) ...................................................................................................... 63 4.7.2.3 Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)...................................................................................... 64 4.7.2.4 Zurich Airport (ZRH) and AlpTransit............................................................................ 65 4.7.2.5 Italian fare structure..................................................................................................... 66 4.8 Non-aviation revenues .................................................................................................68 4.9 Outlook .........................................................................................................................68 4.10 SWOT.........................................................................................................................70 5. LUG vs. BRN .........................................................................................................71 5.1 Network ........................................................................................................................72 5.1.1 Feeder flights.........................................................................................................72 5.1.2 Point-to-point flights...............................................................................................72 5.1.3 (Single) airline dependency...................................................................................72 5.1.4 Domestic connection: BRN – LUG ........................................................................76 5.2 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................76 5.2.1 Runway..................................................................................................................76 5.2.2 Apron (parking) and hangars.................................................................................77 5.2.3 Non-aviation revenues...........................................................................................78 III Luca A. Giordani 5.2.4 Access...................................................................................................................79 5.3 Catchment areas and state of competition...................................................................79 5.4 Future ...........................................................................................................................82 6. Conclusions and discussion...................................................................................84 6.1 Assessment of methodology, limitations and further research.....................................87