Typology and evolution of spanish airports in relation to cargo transport

Abstract

Globalization requires transportation systems that allow a rapid and massive exchange of goods in the face of new patterns of production and consumption. Air transport is essential for the rapid distribution of freight, where airports serve as connecting nodes between global and regional scales. The specificities of air cargo are shaping an airport network composed of a limited number of specialized terminals that concentrate the majority of the cargo volume. Due to the lack of studies on this matter for Spain, this paper aims to characterize whether Spanish airports are also joining the global air cargo dynamics. For this, an updated functional hierarchical relationship of airports is proposed through an analysis of conglomerates or clusters. The results show the concentration and specialization of air cargo in only four airports (two hubs for passengers and freight and two specialized cargo airports), according to the global processes of air freight transportation. This fact redraws the traditional airport hierarchy of freight transport and contributes new elements for the planning of transportation infrastructures and logistic activity.