Application of a fuzzy linguistic approach to analyse Asian airports’ competitiveness

Abstract

Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Over the last decade, air traffic growth in the Asian Rim has been dramatic and the potential for further growth is enormous. In order to meet increasing demand, many Asian nations are planning and/or constructing new airports. The ambition of almost every government in the region is to build and enhance an airport infrastructure with sufficient capacity and sophistication to become the main international hub airport. This paper presents an analysis of the potential competitiveness of nine major airports (1) China — Shanghai New Pudong Airport, (2) Hong Kong — Chek Lap Kok Airport, (3) Japan — Tokyo Narita, and Osaka Kansai Airport, (4) Korea — Inchon (New Seoul) Airport, (5) Malaysia — Sepang New Airport, (6) Singapore — Changi Airport, (7) Taiwan — Taipei Chiang Kai Shek Airport, and (8) Thailand — Bangkok Nong Ngu Hao Airport. This analysis has adopted eight main factors for assessment: airport geographical characteristics, access system to an airport, environmental effects, airlines’ business and operational conditions, airport regional development, availability of planning implementation, socio‐economic effects, and airport charges to the users. To analyse the competitiveness of the selected airports, this study has adopted a fuzzy linguistic approach and is based on airport experts’ points of view.