Air connectivity in remote regions: A comprehensive review of existing transport policies worldwide

Abstract

A consensus exists in the literature on the strong link between air connectivity and economic growth and development. The need for connecting people and markets is part of national policies in different territories. The existence of remote areas, that is, those that under strict market criteria would not be transport supplied due to lack of commercial profitability, has led to the development of different public policies aimed to support air connectivity in regions where commercial airline operations are not viable. This paper provides a mapping of existing policies applied worldwide to provide air connectivity to remote areas, and critically reviews policies promoting air connectivity, including: 1) route-based policies; 2) passenger-based policies; 3) airline-based policies; and 4) airport-based policies. This effort is the first to compile and critically analyze all the existing alternatives to provide air connectivity in remote areas and to report on experiences worldwide. Moreover, we develop a novel taxonomy of existing public policies when it comes to providing air connectivity to remote areas. After reviewing different policy options and instruments applied globally, the paper ends with a policy discussion.