REGIONAL AIRPORTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: FOCUSED ON GEOGRAPHICAL EFFICIENCY

Abstract

Historically, transport belongs to the most important factors which influence erritorial development. In several past decades, air transport experienced dynamic growth in many qualitative and quantitative indicators and airports have become an important location factor of economic activities. Also peripheral regional airports were redeveloped in this time especially due to boom of low-cost airlines. The theme of regional airports is relevant also in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the goal of this article is to assess geographical efficiency of regional airports in the Czech Republic, using the so called data envelopment analysis as the methodological rationale. In addition, geographical development potential of regional airports will be discussed, including the newly planned regional airport in Přerov-Bochoř. Our results point to inefficiency of Czech regional airports with respect to scale (number of passengers). Thus, the doubts on rationale of these airports are well founded. However, there is also clear development potential of Czech regional airports when a suitable strategy is chosen.