Integrated methodology for evaluating the efficiency of airports: A case study in Turkey

• Published in: Transport policy Vol. 127; pp. 31 - 47
• Main Authors: Kaya, Gizem, Aydın, Umut, Karadayı, Melis Almula, Ülengin, Füsun, Ülengin, Burç, İçken, Ayhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2022
• Subjects: Airport efficiency; Eigenvector centrality; Performance evaluation; Social network analysis; Super-efficient data envelopment analysis; Truncated bootstrapped regression; Performance evaluation; Truncated bootstrapped regression; Social network analysis; Airport efficiency; Super-efficient data envelopment analysis; Eigenvector centrality
• ISSN: 0967-070X; 1879-310X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.08.010

Airports play an important role in the economic development of countries. Efficiency analyses of airports are crucial for providing an important roadmap to airport authorities and for helping to benchmark their airports with respect to a role model. Accordingly, in this study, an integrated analysis comprising a super-efficient data envelopment analysis (DEA) and an eigenvector centrality analysis is conducted. Additionally, a Simar–Wilson bootstrapping approach was used to identify the important factors influencing this efficiency. As a case study, the efficiencies of Turkey's 39 international airports were analyzed, and strategic recommendations were suggested. According to the results of the super-efficient DEA analysis and eigenvector centrality analysis, Istanbul Atatürk (closed as of 2019), Adana, and Diyarbakır airports are the “shining stars.” These airports are operationally efficient and act as role models for other airports. Moreover, the hypothesis testing conducted based on the Simar–Wilson bootstrapping approach shows that the efficiency of airports varies by region. The efficiency of airports in the Mediterranean region, which is used as a reference, was found to be significantly higher than that of airports in Eastern Anatolia, Southeast Anatolia, Central Anatolia, and Marmara regions. There also exists a difference between the efficiencies of private and public terminal operations in the favor of public terminal operations. The efficiency of an airport is also positively influenced by the tourist population and by an increase in the gross domestic product per capita of the corresponding city. •This study proposes a super-efficient DEA and an eigenvector centrality analysis to analyze the efficiency of airports.•Simar-Wilson bootstrapping approach is also used to specify the essential environmental factors influencing this efficiency.•The efficiency of Turkey's 39 international airports is evaluated as a case study, and strategic suggestions are made.•A rational policy may be to close some inefficient regional airports and to consolidate traffic in larger airports.•Additional years of experience at an airport increase its efficiency due to the learning curve effect.