Regional airports - sustainability, survival or success: a case study

This paper is concerned with an appraisal of Scottish regional airports that offers insights into their operations and presents lessons that may be of interest internationally. The paper covers factors that define the growth patterns for regional airports, provides an analysis of the related features that impact on sustainability of operations, and long term strategic growth that involves innovative use of facilities, technologies, and the effect of the related regulatory environment. Through the use of critical management tools and techniques including factors associated with PEST (political, economic, social and technological) analysis, the paper presents an enabling framework with which the success and growth of regional airports can be measured. As an illustration, the policy and strategy employed for the development of Glasgow international airport is explained, comparisons made with other regional airports in the central belt of scotland, and measures and metrics suggested to assist with the development of a strong strategy for investment and growth.