Gis Based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis for the Streamlining of the Italian Network of Minor Airports

Alongside the general growth of air traffic in Primary-level airports of each country, since the 1990s the popularity of “individual” (private), General Aviation, non-scheduled “point to point” flights all over the world and in Italy increased. They have proved to be a valid alternative to rail and road transport for short-medium-distance journeys (for different classes of business and tourist passengers). Taking into consideration the national and international airport system development scenarios, the paper illustrates the results of in- depth analyses carried out aiming to build up a full integrated GIS-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis evaluation methodology. This is geared towards formulating strategies for the development and streamlining of the 51 existing Italian minor airport network and for the identification of the right locations for new hubs that could be required for the construction of an efficient second-level air transport network (the “Highway in the Sky”). The methodology is implemented according to different evaluation levels that verify: the suitability of air- port services and infrastructure (status quo) and the attractiveness of airport hubs given the territorial facilities found in their catchment areas.