A new study out of the University of British Columbia (UBC) ranks Vancouver International Airport fifth among North America’s most efficient airports.
The study, which was released by the UBC-headquartered Air Transport Research Society (ATRS), found that diversified revenue streams are helping many airports find success.
“Airports are finding success by supplementing core income through periphery revenue sources that can range from parking and retail operations to real estate development and golf courses,” said Tae Oum, ATRS president and a professor at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.
“By diversifying revenue sources, airports boost their efficiency and also enhance their ability to weather turbulent periods of recession.”
This is the ninth year the annual report has been produced.
It compares the performance and cost competitiveness of 142 airports and 16 airport groups in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
The study named Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson airport the most efficient large airport in the world.
The airport generated 58% of its total revenue from non-aviation activities, and allowed it to offer some of the lowest landing fees in the world.
In Canada, Vancouver placed fifth in North America in the large airport category, while Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa topped the list for Canada’s most efficient small airports.
The data used for the study is based on 2007 and 2008 fiscal results.