LOCALIZACIÓN DEL PROYECTO

2.12.1 Without exception, the United States impact reports studied conclude that airports attract firms, which are otherwise unrelated to aviation, to the local area. The exact definition of the attracted impact differs from study to study, and some even call it ‘induced’ impact (State of California, 1992) but the general view is clear. The use of the word ‘attracted’ best fits the relationship the activity has with the airport.

2.12.2 The definition which has been assumed for the purposes of this study is as follows:-

Definition Five

The attracted impact relates to the employment, revenue and expendi­ ture created by activities which are otherwise unconnected with the airport, but which have located, for one reason or another, in order to be close to the airport.

2.12.3 The attracted element is potentially the most important of all. If there is a link between the location of an airport and the attraction of firms then those regions which have an airport are at a distinct advantage over those which have not. The Chicago Airport Authority, like so many others across the United States believe the airport is vital, stating that:-

“ Without a viable airport you cannot have a viable regional economy” (lATA The Economic Benefits of Air Transport. 19921

2.12.4 This category of impact does not relate to any specific activities, but most of the studies agree that the type of functions within it include headquarters, regional offices, high technology, research, design and development, conferencing, training and data processing.

2.12.4 lATA (1992) argue that the possession of an airport can benefit an area in three ways. These are expanded upon below:-

1 The facilitation of personal contact in organisations with dispersed operations and long distance markets.

2 The means by which organisations can secure ‘just-in-time’ stock distribution. This might particularly be the case with firms manufac turing technologically advanced but light weight and non bulky products - such as the micro chip.

3 The development of entirely new industries which, although not related to the airport, need to locate close to the airport. The example given is the import and processing of high value fruits and vegetables from Africa to Europe.

2.12.5 lATA believe that the attraction of an airport is related to the availability of good transport links, and the availability of a range of connections and destinations.

2.12.6 This element is by far the least discernible. It is also an area where a large amount of research has taken place, and where results have varied the most. There is much conjecture and exaggeration but a number of studies have suggested that a link exists.

2.12.7 The York (1991) report on Manchester concluded that the time saved in the movement in people or goods is the most measurable benefit, and the ‘key test’ is how important, in this sense, the availability of air transport is to the locational decisions of firms not otherwise related to the airport. York note that there is a lack of ‘hard evidence’.

2.12.8 A study carried out by Prism Research (1984) on the mobility of industry from South East England concluded that nearness to an airport was a much less important factor in a firm& locational decision than, say, quality and suitability of premises, ground access, or the environmentand quality of life. LCCI (1983) reached similar conclusions in a study of relocation activity from central London, finding that proximity to air transport links was very low down the order of priorities of many firms. However, the ‘Golden Triangle’ Survey conducted by Henley Management College and Price Waterhouse (1991) reached an entirely different conclusion, suggesting that over 60% firms around the west, south west and south of London felt that proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports was important in their locational decision, second only to surface transport infrastructure.

2.12.9 Assessment of the attracted impact has been shown to be a difficult task. It will relate to many factors, amongst them:-

1 The size, importance and nature of the airport. Firms may have specific requirements in seeking an airport location, such as the availability of flights to particular destinations, or the need for a wide range of destinations to be available. Airports which would meet these criteria best are those which have achieved intercontinental ‘hub’ status. These airports serve as the point at which major world airlines concentrate domestic, international and intercontinental

services. Examples of major Hubs include Chicago O’Hare (Ameri can) Atlanta Hartsfield (Delta) Denver Stapleton (Continental) Heathrow (British Airways) Charles De Gaulle (Air France) Schiphol (KLM) Frankfurt Main (Lufthansa) and Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific).

The location of the airport in relation to infrastructure and large centres of population, and the quality of the local environment.

Planning policies in the local area. This particularly relates to the availability and suitability of sites. A number of the studies assessed suggested that the provision of the right type of accommodation of investing businesses was an important factor (Colorado National Banks, 1989). This accommodation is described as high quality, of superior design, in a landscaped or parkland setting.

2.13 The Next Stage

2.13.1 This chapter has set out the various element of an airports economic im pact, and how these elements interrelate.

2.13.2 The next stage of the study looks at the airports in Britain. It seeks to demonstrate that a range of factors will influence the impacts set out in this chapter.