The comparative study of connectivity, performance and socio-economic impact of low-cost carriers in Poznan and Wroclaw (Poland)

This article reviews the dimensions of the low-cost carriers' (LCC) spatial development and socio-economic impact in the Polish cities of Poznan and Wroclaw. The LCC spatial effect, measured via the connectivity and network structure analysis in 2005-2019, figured out that both airports experienced connectivity growth due to rapid network development of the leading budget airlines in Central and Eastern Europe - Ryanair and Wizz Air, and Wroclaw developed higher connectivity over Poznan. The airports' passenger traffic analysis showed that the LCC entered the market after Poland's accession to the European Union and that type of carriers represents a significant share of total passenger traffic at both airports (approximately 60%), and the numbers have had a positive dynamics of growth, but the LCC passenger traffic was higher in Wroclaw due to local demographics, state of the economy, better tourism potential, better financial conditions offered to the airlines (i.e., landing and passenger fees). Despite the fact, that there is a statistical connection between passenger traffic growth and socio-economic indicators, including tourism variables, both in Poznan and Wroclaw, further research on the role of such factors, as business environment, local governance, state of the economy is needed. The entrance of the LCC provided socio-economic benefits to the studied airports. The opening of the operational bases of Ryanair and Wizz Air increased numbers of investments and potential jobs supported at both airports. The data shows that Wroclaw, succeeding in attracting the LCC, had better performance and had more economic benefits over Poznan.