Mechanisms supporting hub functions in airport charges systems of European airports

The paper investigates whether the structure of airport charges and incentive schemes at European hub airports supports the development of hub operations.The motivation arises from post-pandemic challenges, increased competition from non-European hubs, and the need to understand if pricing strategies align with hub-specific traffic profiles.Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining cost simulation modelling and qualitative document analysis.It examines passenger charges and landing fees across 15 major European hub airports.Quantitative modelling involved calculating passenger costs and per-ton MTOW costs for three aircraft types (regional, narrowbody, wide-body), while qualitative analysis identified the types and purposes of discounts applied.Airports were selected using purposive sampling based on their hub status.Findings: All analysed airports offer reduced charges or discounts for transfer passengers, and most provide lower unit costs for wide-body aircraft.However, there is no uniform strategy supporting hub development.Price differentiation by route length or aircraft type is inconsistent.Discount schemes vary widely in scope and focus. Research limitations/implications:The study is limited to a single date (January 2025) and to officially published tariffs, which may not reflect all commercial arrangements.It focuses solely on European hub airports and does not incorporate airline perspectives.Future research should include dynamics of pricing strategies, non-European hubs, and interviews with stakeholders.Practical implications: The results can inform airport managers seeking to enhance hub competitiveness through targeted pricing mechanisms.Regulators may use the findings to refine policy on airport charges and better align economic incentives with strategic goals.Originality/value: This paper fills a research gap by evaluating the pricing structures of European hub airports in the post-pandemic context.It offers valuable insights for airport operators, regulators, and transport policymakers.