What is it about?

This paper focuses on analyzing the technical efficiency of Spanish airports and the factors that determine their efficiency. The study uses two benchmarking techniques, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), to assess the efficiency of 39 commercial airports in the AENA network between 2011 and 2014.

The results indicate that the average efficiency of the network is between 75-79%, with the commercial part of the network having room for improvement.

The paper also discusses the impact of airport concentration, airport type, low-cost airlines, and intermodal competition on airport efficiency. The findings suggest the need for individualized management and competition within the network to improve the performance of Spanish airports.

Why is it important?

The analysis of the efficiency of Spanish airports is important for several reasons.

Firstly, the airport industry plays a crucial role in facilitating global connectivity and economic development. Understanding the efficiency of airports is essential for ensuring optimal performance and meeting the increasing demand for air travel.

Secondly, the study examines the impact of privatization and joint management of airports in Spain. The findings provide insights into the effectiveness of these strategies and their implications for airport efficiency. This information is valuable for policymakers and airport management in making informed decisions regarding the ownership and management models of airports.

Furthermore, the research explores the relationship between airport efficiency and various factors such as competition, airport type, low-cost airlines, and intermodal competition. Understanding these determinants can help identify areas for improvement and guide future policy decisions to enhance the overall efficiency of the airport industry.

Lastly, the study contributes to the existing literature on airport efficiency analysis, utilizing both parametric (SFA) and non-parametric (DEA) approaches. By employing multiple methodologies, the research provides a comprehensive assessment of airport efficiency, ensuring robust and reliable results.

Overall, the analysis of airport efficiency in Spain is important for optimizing resource allocation, improving performance, and enhancing the competitiveness of the airport industry, ultimately benefiting passengers, airlines, and the broader economy.

Perspectives

As the author of this paper, I believe that the analysis of the efficiency of Spanish airports is of utmost importance in the current aviation landscape. The findings of this study shed light on the performance of airports within the AENA network and provide valuable insights into the factors influencing their efficiency.

Personally, I find it fascinating to delve into the technical aspects of airport operations and explore the various benchmarking techniques to assess efficiency. By utilizing both DEA and SFA approaches, I aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of airport efficiency, ensuring the robustness of the results.

Moreover, the examination of the impact of privatization and joint management of airports in Spain adds a unique dimension to the research. Understanding the implications of these strategies on airport efficiency is crucial for policymakers and airport management in making informed decisions about the ownership and management models.

Additionally, the exploration of factors such as competition, airport type, low-cost airlines, and intermodal competition further enriches the analysis. These factors play a significant role in shaping the efficiency of airports and provide valuable insights for improving performance and resource allocation.

I believe that this research contributes to the existing literature on airport efficiency analysis and provides valuable insights for the aviation industry. By identifying areas for improvement and highlighting the importance of individualized management and competition within the network, this study aims to enhance the overall efficiency and performance of Spanish airports, benefiting passengers, airlines, and the broader economy.

Adrián Nerja