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Cited by 3Aviation Industry Analysis and TrendsEfficiency Analysis Using DEATransport and Economic Policies

Airports’ public infrastructure and sources of inefficiency

Open access
Ripoll-Zarraga, Ane Elixabete·2023·Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science
DOI 10.1108/jefas-12-2021-0269
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Abstract

Purpose: The Spanish airport system contains several regional airports within an amenity distance and alternative travel modes. Profitable airports cross-subsidise small airports, which are not required for regional development or connectivity. Airports are government-owned and centralised-managed by Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (AENA, for its Spanish acronym). This study aims to analyse the probability of an under-used public infrastructure and the AENA’s managerial ability as per the financial sustainability of the network in the long term. Design/methodology/approach: The national regulatory framework determines the airports’ environment. Six airports revealed unobserved heterogeneity, avoiding model misspecification. The framework is defined through proxies of the singularities of the Spanish framework: public investments and geographical specifications. The stochastic frontier analysis model follows two time-varying specifications, accounting for airports’ environmental factors, to ensure the robustness of the results to differ from the inefficiency caused by AENA and external factors. Findings: Airports’ infrastructure capacity and traffic are not correlated; regional airports become a financial burden for the system unless they specialise or differentiate. Proxies defining the airports’ context are relevant. Because airports do not compete for airlines and passengers, there are too many regional airports with little traffic, resulting in disused public infrastructure that falls far short of improving connectivity and regional development. Originality/value: This study contributes to paying attention to the characteristics of the regulatory framework, such as management strongly centralised in AENA, airport charges decided by the owner, lack of competition and lack of an independent regulatory entity. Another original contribution considers reliable capital measures (airports’ infrastructure).

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper applies stochastic frontier analysis to Spanish airports (2009–2013) and finds that airport infrastructure capacity and traffic are not correlated, with many regional airports acting as a financial burden unless they specialise or differentiate. It argues that centralised AENA management, political decision-making, and lack of competition sustain under-used public infrastructure and inefficiency.

Key findings

  • Across 48 Spanish airports (239 observations, 2009–2013), average technical efficiency was 56.50% under Battese and Coelli (1992), 72.04% with fixed effects, and 83.68% under Battese and Coelli (1995) with fixed effects.
  • Passengers contributed most to reducing inefficiency (−27.65%), while cargo contributed least (−5.80%); operating costs were relevant (66.94%), and depreciation of airside and landside assets was not significant.
  • Environmental factors mattered: less controlled traffic was associated with more inefficiency (25.18%), and airports with railway access increased overall network inefficiency (48.50%); PSO routes and catchment area were not significant.
  • Large airports showed efficiency-increasing fixed effects (Barcelona −0.678, Madrid Barajas −0.929, Malaga −0.495, Palma de Mallorca −0.321), while Huesca-Pirineos increased inefficiency (+0.496); most Spanish airports operated under increasing returns to scale.

Methods

  • The study uses stochastic frontier analysis with a translog distance function, following time-varying specifications from Battese and Coelli (1992, 1995), including environmental variables and Greene (2003) fixed effects.
  • Inputs are labour costs, other operating costs, and depreciation of airside and landside assets; outputs are annual passengers, air traffic movements, tonnes of cargo, and commercial revenues.
  • Data cover 48 Spanish airports from 2009 to 2013 (239 observations), excluding Son Bonet for missing information and Algeciras due to construction and accounting-policy changes; AENA depreciation data were disregarded and air transport depreciation standard coefficients were applied.

Limitations

  • The paper states the most important limitation is lack of data: only 2009–2014 data are published, there are no individual airport notes, and depreciation methods and aeronautical activity data lack consistency and adequacy.
  • The paper notes that endogeneity is inherent in SFA with distance functions, and that cost functions would require price information, but output prices are externally decided by AENA, which could restrict benchmarking and bias results.
  • The text makes evident that the sample is limited to 48 airports over 2009–2013, with Son Bonet excluded for missing information and Algeciras excluded due to construction and accounting changes; updated data are required.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1108/jefas-12-2021-0269

Cites

48 of 49 references verified0 citation errors · 1 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

5 of 38 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    The management is unlikely to change, at least in the short-term such as terminals and runways.

    “However, the management is unlikely to change, at least in the shortterm such as terminals and runways (Pels et al., 2003;Oum et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Pels et al., 2003 source
    • cites Oum et al., 2008 source

      Section 5 (Sample and Variables; page unavailable) treats the number of runways and passenger-terminal area as fixed capital inputs, supporting the point that these facilities are not readily changed. It does not say that airport management is unlikely to change in the short term; the Introduction instead discusses changes in ownership and management over time. (LLM, conf=0.78)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Smaller airports become more efficient with specialisation.

    “Smaller airports become more efficient with specialisation (Ripoll-Zarraga et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga et al., 2023 source

      Section 3.5 (page unavailable) reports that small airports handle aircraft traffic cheaply and have high punctuality, supporting efficiency in a specific activity. The Discussion and conclusions (page unavailable) identifies Vitoria’s strength in cargo efficiency. Neither passage shows that smaller airports become more efficient as a result of specialisation. (LLM, conf=0.78)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Findingown data

    Airports' infrastructure capacity and traffic are not correlated.

    “Airports' infrastructure capacity and traffic are not correlated; regional airports become a financial burden for the system unless they specialise or differentiate.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The model shows higher explanatory power per isolating unobserved special features of airports (for example, Barcelona, Madrid Barajas, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca).

    “In addition, the model shows higher explanatory power per isolating unobserved special features of airports (for example, Barcelona, Madrid Barajas, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    The PSOs do not affect efficiency.

    “The PSOs do not affect efficiency.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 39
  • May combine two claims. 38
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies confirm cargo specialisation improves overall system efficiency.

    “Recent studies confirm cargo specialisation improves overall system efficiency (Ripoll-Zarraga and Lozano, 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga and Lozano, 2019 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    These studies do not provide strong evidence that privatisation improves efficiency.

    “However, these studies do not provide strong evidence that privatisation improves efficiency (Gallegos-Monteagudo, 1992).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gallegos-Monteagudo, 1992 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Public investment may enhance long-term economic growth and the well-being of citizens specifically in developing regions.

    “Public investment may enhance long-term economic growth (e.g.education, healthcare and technology) and the well-being of citizensspecificallyin developing regions (Ayvar-Campos et al., 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ayvar-Campos et al., 2019 source

      The Analysis and discussion of results says policies promoting investment and education, alongside efficient resource use, would contribute to economic well-being in Mexican states. It does not establish that public investment enhances long-term economic growth, or identify healthcare and technology investment as mechanisms; its focus is Mexico rather than developing regions generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The northern area contains small, inefficient airports, with more than one in their catchment area.

    “The northern area contains small, inefficient airports, with more than one in their catchment area.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Table 5 reports the average technical efficiency per airport for time-varying efficiency without and with environmental variables and fixed effects, which improve the average efficiency per airport.

    “Table 5 reports the average technical efficiency per airport for time-varying efficiency without and with environmental variables (Battese andCoelli, 1992, 1995) and fixed effects (Greene, 2003), which improve the average efficiency per airport.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Battese andCoelli, 1992, 1995

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Greene, 2003

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Zaragoza and Vitoria are cargo-oriented airports, but Vitoria is significantly less efficient and smaller than Zaragoza.

    “For example, Zaragoza (89.32%) and Vitoria (78.48%) are cargo-oriented airports, but Vitoria is significantly less efficient and smaller than Zaragoza [1].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Amsler, 2016, Endogeneity in stochastic frontier models, Journal of Econometrics source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Four out of five airports with train facilities are large, reducing regional airports' traffic.

    “Indeed, four out of five airports with train facilities are large, reducing regional airports' traffic.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Cordoba became a general aviation airport, and Algeciras became a heliport.

    “Instead, C ordoba (83.20%) became a general aviation airport, and Algeciras (88.06%) a heliport.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The model shows relevant and high explanatory power (lambda >1) and a low level of noise (σu > σv).

    “The model shows relevant and high explanatory power (lambda >1) and a low level of noise (σ u >σ v ) (see Table 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    This trade-off is the opposite for cargo and aircraft movements, increasing inefficiency (+2.44% and +6.69%).

    “This trade-off is the opposite for cargo and aircraft movements, increasing inefficiency (þ2.44% and þ6.69%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Passengers contribute the most to efficiency (-27.65%) and cargo the least (-5.80%).

    “Passengers contribute the most to efficiency (À27.65%) and cargo the least (À5.80%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Barcelona, Madrid Barajas, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca show special features increasing efficiency, and Huesca-Pirineos, which is small, reduces it (+49.59%).

    “Barcelona, Madrid Barajas, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca show special features increasing efficiency, and Huesca-Pirineos, which is small, reduces it (þ49.59%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Passengers and aircraft movements are equally relevant to reduce airports' inefficiency and commercial revenues only with the presence of passengers.

    “Passengers and aircraft movements are equally relevant to reduce airports' inefficiency and commercial revenues only with the presence of passengers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The individual variables have the expected signs: the outputs increase efficiency and the inputs decrease efficiency.

    “The individual variables have the expected signs: the outputs increase efficiency (reduce the distance to the frontier) and the inputs decrease efficiency (increase the distance).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Melilla, Madrid Torrejon, Logrono and Albacete are consistently the most inefficient airports and have no other airports in their catchment area.

    “Melilla (50.70%),Madrid Torrejon (58.22%),Logrono (66.25%) and Albatece (69.88%) are consistently the most inefficient and no other airports in the catchment area.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    Most airports do not use infrastructure for aeronautical purposes.

    “Most airports do not use infrastructure for aeronautical purposes highlighting the public utility nature of the Spanish airports: social welfare (connectivity purposes, public employment) overrides industry needs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The catchment area is irrelevant, i.e. unable to implement commercial policies, and crowded geographical locations do not have congested airports (e.g. Vitoria cargo specialised).

    “The catchment area is irrelevant, i.e. unable to implement commercial policies, and crowded geographical locations do not have congested airports (e.g.Vitoria cargo specialised).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The overall system is profitable per large airports cross-subsidising nonprofitable airports.

    “The overall system is profitable (i.e. per the consolidated financial statements) per large airports cross-subsidising nonprofitable airports.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Depreciation is not significant, highlighting the inadequacy of infrastructure for aeronautical activities (underused) or cargo (+0.000).

    “Depreciation is not significant, highlighting the inadequacy of infrastructure for aeronautical activities (underused) or cargo (þ0.000).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Regional airports show excessive investment spending, considering their traffic is meagre.

    “Likewise, regional airports show excessive investment spending, considering their traffic is meagre.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning

    In some cases, efficiency looks noncorrelating with profitability.

    “Note that in some cases, efficiency looks noncorrelating with profitability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    The airports that remain open even having low-efficiency scores or losses are Cordoba (GA) and Salamanca, for connectivity purposes.

    “The airports that remain open even having low-efficiency scores or losses are Cordoba (GA) and Salamanca (for connectivity purposes).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The more traffic these regional airports have, the more technically efficient and profitable they are.

    “The more traffic these regional airports have, the more technically efficient and profitable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Large and medium airports are highly efficient.

    “Large and medium airports are highly efficient.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Large airports are located in cities with higher density, thus with potential higher demand.

    “Large airports are located in cities with higher density, thus, with potential higher demand.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    AENA's price system does not enhance product differentiation according to the service provided by the airports.

    “AENA's price system does not enhance product differentiation, i.e. according to the service provided by the airports, which must change accordingly.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The Spanish airports have engaged in commercial activities with their aeronautical mission.

    “The Spanish airports have engaged in commercial activities with their aeronautical mission.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    These areas have good inter-modal connectivity by railway and roads.

    “These areas have good inter-modal connectivity by railway and roads.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The low variability of the data implied convergence issues for some SFA models.

    “The low variability of the data implied convergence issues for some SFA models.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Unless traffic increases, regional airports are an idle resource and increase the public deficit.

    “Unless traffic increases, regional airports are an idle resource and increase the public deficit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Competition drives prices down, and airlines will pass the increment of charges to passengers or freight customers.

    “Competition drives prices down.Thus, airlines will pass the increment of charges (or decrement) to passengers or freight customers (European Commission, 2019) [2].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites European Commission, 2019

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [2] Ashford, 1996

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The literature on air transport efficiency shows the lack of accounting for a specific framework. It looks like this is the first time to use contextual, geographical specifications and airport features, beyond the strict airports' location, specifically within the Spanish framework.

    “The literature on air transport efficiency shows the lack of accounting for a specific framework.It looks like this is the first time to use contextual, geographical specifications and airport features, beyond the strict airports' location, specifically within the Spanish framework.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    These geographical areas are not congested, and airports become cost-inefficient.

    “These geographical areas are not congested, and airports become cost-inefficient (Martin et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Martin et al., 2011 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    There is evidence of the lack of consistency and adequacy of depreciation methods and aeronautical activities.

    “There is evidence of the lack of consistency and adequacy of depreciation methods and aeronautical activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Using cost functions will require price information and output prices are externally decided by AENA rather than airports' operators, which could restrict the benchmarked analysis and bias the results.

    “However, it will require price information and output prices are externally decided by AENA rather than airports' operators, which could restrict the benchmarked analysis and bias the results.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Diversification of airport activities improves efficiency, regardless of their proximity to other airports and the size of each one.

    “Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero (2020) warn that the diversification of airport activities improves efficiency, regardless of their proximity to other airports and the size of each one”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero (2020) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Consequently, the previous findings may be biased, i.e. unreliable for benchmarking purposes and managerial and policymakers recommendations.

    “Consequently, the previous findings may be biased, i.e. unreliable for benchmarking purposes and managerial and policymakers recommendations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The excessive number of airports within amenity distances promotes specific airports as the origin or destination to the detriment of others.

    “The excessive number of airports within amenity distances promotes specific airports as the origin (or destination) to the detriment of others.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The peculiarities of the Spanish airports' environment, where for example, the airport's owner is the operator seems not to attract airlines to satisfy the current and future global demand.

    “The peculiarities of the Spanish airports' environment, where for example, the airport's owner is the operator seems not to attract airlines to satisfy the current and future global demand.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    DEA does not search for sources of inefficiency, which is more commonly used in aviation, starting with Gillen and Lall (1997), compared to SFA.

    “However, DEA does not search for sources of inefficiency, which is more commonly used in aviation, starting with Gillen and Lall (1997), compared to SFA.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gillen and Lall (1997) source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Minimising costs is difficult to meet because the infrastructure is invested.

    “The infrastructure is invested.Hence minimising costs is difficult to meet.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Efficiency analysis assumes that the inputs and outputs are decisional variables controlled by airports' management, but these may not be.

    “Efficiency analysis assumes that the inputs and outputs are decisional variables controlled by airports' management, but these may not be.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    There are no notes to the annual report individually per airport.

    “There are no notes to the annual report individually per airport.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Airports efficiency studies generally use distance functional approaches to evaluate the relative technical efficiency of each decision-making unit.

    “Airports efficiency studies generally use distance functional approaches to evaluate the relative technical efficiency of each decision-making unit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Stochastic disturbance factors are not enclosed in DEA, i.e. efficiency estimates can be biased.

    “However, stochastic disturbance factors are not enclosed, i.e. efficiency estimates can be biased.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Airports are multi-input output organisations. Therefore, efficiency analysis is adequate using stochastic frontier functions for estimation.

    “Airports are multi-input output organisations.Therefore, efficiency analysis is adequate using stochastic frontier functions for estimation (Coelli and Perelman, 1999;Kumbhakar and Lovell, 2000), which are parametric methods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Coelli and Perelman, 1999 source
    • cites Kumbhakar and Lovell, 2000 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Efficiency studies in Spain show that higher efficiencies correspond to more traffic (i.e. passengers).

    “Efficiency studies in Spain show that higher efficiencies correspond to more traffic (i.e.passengers).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    SFA models progress from homogenous assumptions to unobserved heterogeneity per airports behaving differently and neglecting heterogeneity leads to inconsistent parameter estimates.

    “SFA models progress from homogenous assumptions (Pels et al., 2003;Kumbhakar et al., 2013) to unobserved heterogeneity (Barros, 2008b;Barros et al., 2017) per airports behaving differently (i.e.residuals individual behaviour) and neglecting heterogeneity leads to inconsistent parameter estimates (Chesher, 1984).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chesher, 1984 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Centralised management seems to affect how airports operate by increasing traffic through political decisions rather than industry and regional need, and with more impact on large airports, such as Barcelona and Madrid, versus the small airports with bare traffic, i.e. passengers overcapacity.

    “Centralised management seems to affect how airports operate by increasing traffic through political decisions rather than industry and regional need, and with more impact on large airports, such as Barcelona and Madrid, versus the small airports with bare traffic, i.e. passengersovercapacity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The most important limitation is the lack of data.

    “The most important limitation is the lack of data.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The inclusion of fixed effects reveals unobserved heterogeneity within the data.

    “The inclusion of fixed effects reveals unobserved heterogeneity within the data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The Spanish government seems committed to keeping all airports open, not granting individual management even if they are lossmakers and increasing public deficit.

    “The Spanish government seems committed to keeping all the airports open, not granting individual management even if they are lostmakers (Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero, 2020) and increasing public deficit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero, 2020 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    EBITDA is a proxy of economic profitability that does not reflect the inputs to generate traffic.

    “EBITDA is a proxy of economic profitability that does not reflect the inputs to generate traffic.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    AENA's depreciation was disregarded.

    “With this regard, AENA's depreciation was disregarded.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The centralised management affects the flexibility of airports to operate, impairing the market attractiveness to airlines, thus, passengers.

    “The centralised management affects the flexibility of airports to operate, impairing the market attractiveness to airlines, thus, passengers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Ripoll-Zarraga (2018) and Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero (2020) used DEA and demonstrated that the AENA depreciation-published data does not correspond to the use of capacity in developing traffic.

    “Indeed, Ripoll-Zarraga (2018) and Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero (2020) used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and demonstrated that the AENA depreciation-published data does not correspond to the use of capacity in developing traffic.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga (2018)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Ripoll-Zarraga and Mar-Molinero (2020) source

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The most inefficient airports are small and not specialised.

    “These airports are small and not specialised.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The relatively short distances encourage travellers to use alternative modes unless LCCs provide a service.

    “The relatively short distances encourage travellers to use alternative modes unless LCCs provide a service.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    IFRS requires disclosing the depreciation method.

    “The international regulatory framework (IFRS) requires disclosing the depreciation method.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites IFRS

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The model also allowed the detection of airports with singularities in traffic, regulation and operational activity. After removing them from the initial sample, no significant differences were reported.

    “The model also allowed the detection of airports with singularities in traffic, regulation and operational activity.After removing them from the initial sample, no significant differences were reported.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In Spain, too many airports in the same regional areas are underused, and demand is low per exogenously affected by the price or quality incentives to travel by air.

    “However, in Spain, too many airports in the same regional areas are underused, and demand is low per exogenously affected by the price or quality incentives to travel by air.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    In the end, the whole network will win using infrastructure and profitability.

    “In the end, the whole network will win using infrastructure and profitability”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The closure suggestions are for small airports, not cargo-specialised and technically inefficient.

    “The closure suggestions are for small airports, not cargo-specialised and are technically inefficient.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Small airports could become attractive to airlines and become LCC bases if the market is granted freedom to compete.

    “Small airports could become attractive to airlines and become LCC bases if the market is granted freedom to compete.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The Spanish Government treats airports as public utilities for social welfare purposes, including public employment.

    “However, the Spanish Government treats airports as public utilities for social welfare purposes (public employment).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    More than one airport serving the same area within an amenity distance forces cross-subsidisation.

    “More than one airport serving the same area within an amenity distance forces cross-subsidisation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
66 of 66

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Spanish airport system contains several regional airports within an amenity distance and alternative travel modes.

    “The Spanish airport system contains several regional airports within an amenity distance and alternative travel modes.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AENA's board is generally renewed every four years with political elections; therefore, regulatory policies are also changed.

    “In addition, the board generally is renewed every four years with political elections; therefore, regulatory policies are also changed.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AENA controls the whole network with centralised management regarding pricing, investment and other decisions, including accounting policies.

    “Within this context, AENA controls the whole network with centralised management regarding pricing, investment and other decisions, including accounting policies.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AENA has not published individual airports' financial statements from 2014, and notes are not disclosed regarding accounting policies such as methods of depreciation used or the number of employees.

    “AENA has not published individual airports' financial statements from 2014, and notes are not disclosed regarding accounting policies such as methods of depreciation used (coefficients) or the number of employees.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The government ensures that airlines operate these routes for connectivity purposes with no passengers.

    “The government ensures that airlines operate these routes for connectivity purposes with no passengers.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Previous studies using SFA do not consider airports directly influenced by political decisions like public investments.

    “Previous studies using SFA do not consider airports directly influenced by political decisions like public investments.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Passengers located in overlapping catchment areas may switch airport preferences.

    “When having more options, i.e. located in overlapping catchment areas, passengers may switch airport preferences.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AENA does not receive public subsidies.

    “Despite being governmentowned, AENA does not receive public subsidies.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most of the Spanish airports are currently suffering from over-capacity.

    “Most of the Spanish airports are currently suffering from over-capacity.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AENA's Board of Directors comprises politicians who may not have the necessary professional skills and industry experience to invest with money paid by taxpayers.

    “AENA's Board of Directors comprises politicians who may not have the necessary professional skills and industry experience to invest with money paid by taxpayers.”
10 of 10

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conclusion treats passengers and aircraft movements as equally relevant

    Major

    The conclusion says the two outputs are equally relevant to reducing inefficiency, but Table 4 reports a much larger coefficient for passengers (−0.276 versus −0.068). The aircraft-movements coefficient is also not statistically significant (p = 0.338), whereas the passenger coefficient is (p = 0.000).

  • Claim of no nearby airports conflicts with Logrono catchment

    Major

    The text says the named inefficient airports have no other airports in their catchment areas, but Table 6 lists three small airports in Logrono's catchment area.

  • Vigo has conflicting size classifications

    Minor

    Table 5 classifies Vigo as small, whereas Table 6 classifies it as medium.

  • Vitoria EBITDA differs between tables

    Minor

    Table 6 reports Vitoria's EBITDA as −9,948 thousand euros, but Appendix Table A2 uses −9,984 thousand euros.

  • Reus EBITDA changes sign between tables

    Minor

    Table 6 reports Reus's EBITDA as positive 1,776 thousand euros, while Appendix Table A2 reports its starting EBITDA as negative 1,776 thousand euros.

  • Airports called large include airports classified as small

    Minor

    The introduction describes the 13 profitable airports as "(large)" while explicitly including Madrid Cuatro Vientos. Table 5 classifies Madrid Cuatro Vientos as small.

  • Granada-Jaen has conflicting size classifications

    Minor

    Table 5 classifies Granada-Jaen as small, whereas Table 6 classifies it as medium.

  • Madrid Barajas efficiency differs between Tables 5 and 6

    Minor

    Table 5 gives Madrid Barajas a 1995-model efficiency of 94.48%, while Table 6 gives it 94.84% for that model. Table 5 also prints 94.84% as its maximum despite listing Madrid Barajas at 94.48%.

8 of 8

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Ashford, 1996, Airport Operations
  2. Council of Ministers, 2011, Civil Aviation Authority Resolution 20th of February 2017, Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), 49
  3. Greene, 2003, Econometric Analysis
  4. International Air Transport Association [IATA], 2013, Airport competition, IATA Economic Briefing, No, 11, 17
  5. Ripoll-Zarraga, A.E. (2018), “The Spanish airport system: a critical assessment of the impact of AENA's managerial decisions on airports' technical efficiencies”, Doctoral Thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, available at: https://www.tdx.cat/handle/10803/665608
  6. Salazar de la Cruz, 1999, Technical, allocative and economic efficiency in transport, International Journal of Transport Economics, 26, 255

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Ripoll-Zarraga, A. E.
Affiliations
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
Corresponding author
Ripoll-Zarraga, Ane Elixabete
ORCID
Ripoll-Zarraga, Ane Elixabete
Venue
Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science
Publisher
Emerald
Published
2023-06-19
Volume
28
Issue
55
Pages
176-196
ISSN
  • 2077-1886 (ISSN-L)
  • 2218-0648
DOI
10.1108/jefas-12-2021-0269
OpenAlex
W4380925293
Cited by
3
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1
FWCI
1.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Economics Finance and Administrative Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Econstor (Econstor) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › General Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Efficiency Analysis Using DEA
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Transport and Economic Policies
Keywords
airport efficiency, regional airports, cross-subsidization, AENA, airport management, financial sustainability, infrastructure capacity, airport traffic, airport charges, centralized management, Spanish airports

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-28.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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