The impact of an airport on an insular region: the case study of João Paulo II Airport

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the impact that an airport may have on an insular region, so it is possible to understand how the development of an airport can influence an island. In this case, Ponta Delgada Airport will be the object of study to infer its direct impacts on São Miguel Island’s economy, through the analysis of the airport's direct employment. This impact can be evaluated by finding a relationship between the number of passengers and the number of direct job positions at the airport.Design/methodology/approach: To this end, a quantitative approach was chosen, collecting employment data from companies operating at the airport viaquestionnaires. To intercept this data with the passenger traffic volume, a linear regression analysis was implemented to quantify and determine the relationship between these variables.Findings: The linear regression model showed that there is a positive linear relationship between direct employment and passenger traffic volume in this airport. The results show that the increase in the number of passengers handled atthis airport linearly increases direct employment, boosting the direct economy of the island.Originality/value: This paper fills an information gap on the direct impact of airports on islands, specifically at João Paulo II Airport. This airport has never been a case study in this subject, and the direct effect it has on the employment of the region is not known. The importance of airports in the employment of insular regions in general is not often an object of study.