Impacto dos Aeroportos no Desenvolvimento Regional do Arquipélago dos Açores

Abstract

This article aims to evaluate the influence of airports in the development of the different islands of the Azores. For this, it is assumed that the evolution of the population is a good proxy variable to estimate the economic development of the islands. We tested several explanatory variables related to the existence of airports: the supply and demand potentials, which change with the connection network between the islands and the outside, the specific characteristics of each island, the period of analysis, and the existence of an airport. We conclude that, despite the positive effect of an airport on economic performance of the island where it is located, the demand potential has a positive effect on the economy of the island and the offer potential a negative effect.