Analysis of Evolution and Driving Forces on Airport Connectivity in the Yangtze River Delta Region

This study computes the air connectivity of 16 airports in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region and identifies the possible driving forces over the period of 2008-2018. Based on the regional characteristics of civil aviation in the YRD, three discount factors are added to the connectivity model including the capacity, delay, and velocity discounts. The results show that the macro condition of cities such as population and GDP, own condition of airports such as runway length and the number of gates, and airline competition measured by Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) have significantly positive effects on airport overall connectivity. The presence of low-cost carriers is conducive to air overall connectivity, while it has a negative effect on the international connectivity of airports. Keeping competitive on common routes among the adjacent airports is likely to promote domestic connectivity while developing new routes significantly affects international air connectivity. In addition, promoting competition among hub airports can increase air connectivity, highways, and HSR within the YRD region can also facilitate the integration and distribution of aviation resources. They play an important role in inter-airport competitions and cooperation. This study can help to provide theoretical basis and data support for differentiated development of YRD region airports.