Abstract

This chapter examines trends in global air transport since 1996 and focuses on the experience and impact of liberalization on small and medium-sized communities. Small community air traffic growth has been strong in the last 10 years, though these communities are more vulnerable to service declines or loss during down-cycle periods. Asian, African and Middle Eastern small air transport communities are significantly larger than their North American counterparts. Small air transport communities typically have less competition and routes are of shorter distances compared to larger air transport centres.