Project Description: 

Hubs serve as pivotal points for the transfer of cargo and/or passengers within a carrier's network, playing an indispensable role in facilitating the global movement of goods and people. This is particularly crucial on routes where direct flights and calls may not be in demand. Given that carriers are the decision-makers in determining the installation of their hubs at specific airports/ports, identifying the critical success factors of these facilities becomes imperative. This identification can assist airport/port operators in devising effective strategies to establish themselves as hubs and mitigate potential challenges in this process. Unfortunately, there has been a scarcity of literature addressing the fundamental factors influencing the attractiveness of a particular airport or port in its journey to becoming a successful hub. Consequently, this research project strives to fill this academic gap. The study involves a comprehensive collection of information from major airports and ports worldwide, irrespective of their hub status. The objective is to discern the conditions under which hubs are established and whether such installations yield performance gains. The collected data will undergo thorough investigation employing methodologies such as exploratory factor analysis, binary logistic regression, structural equation modeling, and multicriteria analysis. The expected outcome is to identify the key factors influencing the transition of an airport or port into a hub. These factors may encompass internal variables, such as the facility's infrastructure, as well as external variables like the socioeconomic landscape of the region in which the airport or port is situated.

Project Team:

• Gabriel Fonseca Bordeaux Rego
• António Couto (Supervisor)

Financial Support: 

• FCT: UI/BD/153356/2022

Stage of Progress:

• In Progress