Evaluation of Competition and Co-operation of Hub Airport Route Networks in the Yangtze River Delta

Abstract

To scientifically evaluate the competition-cooperation pattern of the route network market in an airport cluster, we focused on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) hub airports as the research subject. We constructed a quantitative model of the route network of the YRD hub airports from both the holistic and the interactive markets perspectives. We estimated the competition indices of the waypoints, routes, and travelers’ in the route network. The results show that: 1) From the perspective of a holistic market, the competition among waypoints in the Yangtze River Delta hub airports mainly manifests as competition, with the number of waypoints and the regional layout being more homogeneous. The degree of route competition shows an overall decreasing trend and the overall trend of the passenger competition pattern is consistent with that of the route market. 2) From the perspective of the interactive market, the interactive market of waypoints generally belongs to the competitive market; the interactive pattern of routes also belongs to the competitive market. The passenger interactive market is trasitioning from cooperative to competitive. This study measures the degree of competition in the airline network using quantitative methods, provides accurate market analysis, enhances understanding of the structural changes in the aviation market, and helps promote the healthy development of the aviation market in the Yangtze River Delta region and beyond.