Europe's airports. Economic impact – the theory and the practice; ACI Europe report. Part 1

In Jan-2015 Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) released a new study on the Economic Impact of European airports. It is billed as the first economic impact study to consider the direct, indirect, induced and catalytic economic impacts of airports across Europe. The study is published as the European Commission conducts a review of aviation policy and prepares a new Aviation Package.

The objective of the study was to demonstrate that airports and their associated aviation partners are not just providing a service to other industries and the travelling public but that they are in fact a key driver and facilitator of economic growth and prosperity in today's globalised world. The study and ACI document are considered within the context of a real life impassioned debate taking place in the UK right now concerning the relative value of regional airports, and of air connectivity, to trade.