Department Air Transport Economics

Air transport operates at the intersection of political and economic developments, technological transformation, and societal change. The Air Transport Economics Department explores the role of aviation within the wider economy, analyses political and legal frameworks, and assesses their impacts on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of the air transport system. The aim is to provide well-founded analyses and recommendations for decision-makers in politics, industry, and society.

Our Work in Air Transport Economics

Our research covers the entire aviation value chain – from airports and airlines to suppliers, regulatory authorities, and government ministries. In collaboration with other DLR transport institutes, we also examine the interfaces with other modes of transport, such as ground-based mobility. We analyse the economic and other key drivers of air transport and its effects on markets, regions, and society. Our expertise supports the development of sustainable and viable policy and regulatory frameworks.

Our work is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach: The combination of economics, engineering, and natural sciences at DLR enables us to place technological innovations in an economic context and assess their macroeconomic viability.

Our Research Priorities

Our main areas of focus include:

• Policy Advice and Regulation: We support political decision-making processes with our economic expertise and provide advice on the design of efficient regulatory instruments in the aviation sector.
• Evaluation of Policy Measures: We analyse the effectiveness of existing or planned regulations, identify areas for improvement, and provide solid foundations for developing sustainable and economically sound policies.
• Economic Impact Assessments: We investigate both the drivers of air transport and its effects on employment, competitiveness, and connectivity – on regional, national, and international levels.
• Sustainable Mobility and Multimodal Strategies: We explore how transport systems can be integrated in economically and ecologically sensible ways, and the role of air transport in the context of climate-compatible mobility.
• Frameworks for Innovation: We analyse how economic and institutional conditions must be shaped to enable the successful implementation of technological innovations such as alternative propulsion systems or digital solutions.

Methodological Foundations of Our Research

Our research is grounded in robust economic expertise, which we continually expand through interdisciplinary collaboration. Our work is both theoretically conceptual and exploratory, empirical, and application-oriented. Among others, we use the following methods: