Airport and Access Mode Choice : A Generalized Nested Logit Model Approach

The purpose of the paper is to present a novel approach of a general airport and access mode choice model. Based on data of the German Air Traveller Survey 2003 with a sample size of about 210.000 passengers interviewed at 21 airports a three-stage nested logit model has been estimated in a first step. 7 different access modes to the airport are modelled, subdivided into four private and three public travel modes. The model includes 7 different market segments: Domestic, European and Intercontinental travel, each segment split up into private and business travel. The European private travel segment is further subdivided into short stay trips and holiday travel. The aim is to develop a generally applicable airport and access mode choice model. Thereby it is possible to analyse future in terms of new airport constellations and new airport access modes. To achieve this, Kohonens Self-Organizing-Maps are used to identify different airport clusters and assign every airport to the appropriate cluster. Based on these airport clusters the aforementioned nested logit model has been estimated. The model is fully flexible regarding airports and access modes included in the analysis, thereby it is possible to evaluate any scenario, whether it is existing today or not. Furthermore, the model is not restricted in terms of the maximum number of airport/access mode combinations allowed. Interesting model applications comprise new high speed intercity access to existing airports or the impact of new airports like for example Berlin-Brandenburg International. Analysis of airport and access mode choice in border regions is possible, too.