The Ohio State University Department of Geography, in collaboration with Ohio State’s Center for Aviation Studies, has developed an index of air service accessibility of U.S. airports that could have profound implications for decision-making by management for airports, airlines, and aviation service providers as well as cities, states, and business.

The Index of Accessibility at U.S. Airports: Measurement of Direct and Indirect Service, created by Morton O’Kelly, professor of geography, tracks air service accessibility of over 400 airports, in detailed maps; both large national hubs, as well as many smaller airports in every region. Using non-stop service as an accessibility index, O’Kelly tracks the contrasts between levels of service (e.g. direct vs. one- and two-stop service) to create a summary measure of the geographical contrasts between places in the current domestic air passenger transport system.

“Air transportation is an important consideration for local, state, and national policymakers especially with respect to business development and trade,” said O’Kelly. “This data portrait of air passenger traffic for all parts of the U.S., will allow public and private entities to better analyze the economic benefits and social costs of civil and commercial airport development, the impact of airport capital on economic growth, spatial network configuration for passenger airlines, and the need for careful planning of airport development.”

O’Kelly and his team have produced maps of accessibility for approximately 400 individual airports, readily accessible by state. Each region has individual maps for the airports in that state or territory. Data are updated quarterly and available on line.

O’Kelly’s research was funded through the Aviation Research Seed Grant Program, supported by Ohio State’s Center for Aviation Studies. “Transport infrastructure is recognized as one of the most important factors in stimulating economic growth and maintaining balanced state and regional development,” said Seth Young, director, Center for Aviation Studies. “This index will go a long way to helping government and businesses identify ways to improve air accessibility for enterprises, industry, tourists, and residents. I’m excited that the seed grant provided by the Center for Aviation Studies to Professor O’Kelly for this work has created such rich results.”

http://www.geography.osu.edu/aviation/aviation_wiki/index.php/Air_Access_Map