Economic effects of a temporary shutdown of an airport - Review and case study

Airports are crucial nodes, ensuring the economic activity in a region. This paper reports on the direct and indirect effects of a temporary shutdown of an airport. Airports can be closed for several reasons and this can have major effects on different stakeholders. Therefore, this paper offers an analysis of this issue, so that all stakeholders can prepare themselves for the case a shutdown occurs, and will be able to take measures. Firstly, the effects of a temporary shutdown are discussed in general. Therefore, a definition of an airport shutdown is constructed and an overview is made of all possible causes that can lead to a temporary shutdown. Then, an airport typology is set up, including possible implications for each type of disturbance as well as a set of relevant stakeholders. Next, an overview is made of all possible effects for all stakeholders. Secondly, this theory is applied upon a specific case study at Brussels Airport. The effects of hurricane Sandy in the USA on the regional Flemish airports and Brussels Airport are analyzed. This case study shows that several passenger and cargo flights are canceled at Brussels Airport, while the regional Flemish airports are not affected. Based on the method proposed in this paper, stakeholders can quantify the monetary effects for themselves. The analysis indicates that the shutdown of an airport can cause important consequences for several stakeholders. Furthermore, the findings suggest that a temporary shutdown of an airport can disrupt the economic activity in a region. Knowledge of the possible consequences is most interesting for policymakers and stakeholders.