How significant is the role of non-aeronautical activities in the development of international hub airports?

Abstract

With the rapid development of global civil aviation industry, the significance of non-aeronautical revenue has become increasingly evident from the 1990s. Nowadays, many airports are focusing on being more creative with non-aeronautical revenue. According to the latest statistics, the world’s non-aeronautical revenue occupies about 45.8% of the total revenue with 7.2% of the annual rate of growth, (ACI, 2015). Therefore, to examine the significant role of the non-aeronautical activities for international hub airports in a multi-view, thus to make practical recommendations accordingly will be worthy for the future development of these airports. This study consists of methods of literature review, case study, survey, and professional interview. Through carrying out a desktop research by literature review to gain an insight into current world’s non-aeronautical activities. And through a case study to reveal the current situation of worldwide international hub airports in a large extent, which is based on the historical statistics of six target at-grade international hub airports worldwide. Moreover, by conducting a passenger survey in HKIA to gain an insight into the current situation of passenger satisfaction in international hub airports. And by conducting two professional interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the current situation of non-aeronautical activities in international hub airports, and the views also is a guidance for making relevant recommendations. Based on the multi-angle the combined results of this study, this dissertation concludes the increasingly significant role of non-aeronautical activities in the development of international hub airports to a large extent. And giving 6 aspects of practical recommendations accordingly. Moreover, 3 proposed directions for future research are put forward at the end of the dissertation.