The fate of Akron-Canton Regional Airport following the dehubbing of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and exodus of Southwest Airlines

• This study examines the chain of events triggered by the dehubbing of a major hub airport. • It uses causal mediation and synthetic control methods to evaluate localized air travel demand shifts. • Findings show that most of the passenger loss at the regional airport was mediated by airline strategy changes. • The findings suggest that regional airport authorities should focus on proactive partnerships with ultra-low-cost carriers and expand their service offerings. This study investigates the regional consequences of airline network restructuring by examining the impact of United Airlines’ 2014 dehubbing of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) on Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), a nearby regional airport in Northeast Ohio. While prior research has primarily focused on the direct impacts of dehubbing at hub airports, this study extends the analysis to secondary airports within the same regional network. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines exploratory data analysis, the Synthetic Control Method, and Causal Mediation Analysis, our results indicate that airport dehubbing can have a significant impact on the nearby regional airport. These findings highlight the interdependence of airports within multi-airport regions and emphasize the vulnerability of regional airports to upstream network decisions. The study offers practical insights for airport planners and policymakers aiming to enhance the resilience of regional airports in response to structural changes in the airline industry.