Empirical evidence on the promotion of low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service carriers (FSCs) under a multi-airport system

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of urban air transportation in Chengdu before and after the opening of Tianfu International Airport, with a focus on the impact of a multi-airport system (MAS) on low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service carriers (FSCs) in megacities. Using actual operational data, this study systematically analyzes the changes in air transportation operations, resource allocation, and operational efficiency for LCCs and FSCs following the integration of the new airport. The findings show that the MAS has significantly improved the connectivity and capacity of Chengdu's air transportation network. The number of approach and departure routes, as well as airspace utilization rates, has increased significantly, effectively alleviating operational bottlenecks. Flight volumes for both LCCs and FSCs grew by over 50 %, with particularly notable increases in traffic on routes to more developed regions, such as Eastern and Southern China. Additionally, the MAS has increased flexibility in flight schedule optimization, with prime-time flights rising by over 60 %, further boosting the profitability of LCCs. The MAS has also shown significant benefits in improving operational efficiency, with average flight delays reduced from 29 min to 14 min. Moreover, the improvement in delay adjustment capacity for LCCs has further narrowed the operational performance gap between the two carrier types. These results highlight the MAS's critical role in fostering airline growth, particularly for LCCs, improving air service quality, and strengthening urban competitiveness. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Chengdu's MAS and offers practical insights and strategic guidance for other cities in managing MAS and developing tailored policies for carriers.