Title: Greek airport capacity utilisation: what about airfreight?

Authors: Eleftherios Katarelos, Ioannis N. Lagoudis

Addresses: Department of Shipping Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean, 2A Korai Str., 82100, Chios, Greece. ' Research and Development Department, XRTC Ltd. – Business Consultants, 10 Mouseiou Str., 82100, Chios, Greece; Department of Shipping Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean, 2A Korai Str., 82100, Chios, Greece

Abstract: The paper examines capacity availability in 11 Greek airports in order to explore the possibilities of attracting airfreight traffic. Capacity is estimated based on the minimum value observed between apron and runway service ability. Secondary data are used for the estimation of capacity and traffic demand, based on the number of planes handled per hour. Utilisation levels are estimated on today|s capacity and traffic figures. A projection based on different demand growth scenarios is also made for the year 2030. Results show that most Greek airports have significant capacity available, which stays idle for most of the 18-hour time frame used here. Runway appears to be the capacity factor that constrains airport operations more. Among the factors that decision-makers should consider in attracting new airfreight demand is the examination of the pricing policies followed, the competitiveness levels of airports and the necessary infrastructure required for the handling of this type of demand.

Keywords: capacity utilisation; airfreight; airports; Greece; aviation management; capacity availability; freight traffic; runway capacity; pricing policies; competitiveness levels; airport infrastructure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAM.2011.038297

International Journal of Aviation Management, 2011 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.124 - 139

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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