Introduction: Airports and Regional Development

Airports serve as vital catalysts for regional development, shaping economic landscapes and transforming urban–rural dynamics. They reduce costs for regional businesses to engage with the global economy while enhancing access for tourists and businesses to regional markets. This volume explores the multifaceted relationship between airports and regional development across Asia, Europe, and North America, highlighting their roles as drivers of economic growth, social welfare, and connectivity. The collection of the chapters employ contemporary empirical techniques as well as presents case studies on diverse geographic contexts, thereby providing a nuanced examination on airports’ impacts on regional growth. The findings present new insights into the benefits and costs associated with airports being an instrument for economic development, offering policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders a deeper understanding of the critical role of airports in fostering regional development.