航空网络结构和组织模式的演变——中美欧的比较分析

Since air transportation is influenced by national policies and different aviation laws formulated within geopolitical regions, the development of aviation in different countries and regions has obvious differences. Comparing and researching aviation development with other countries can provide references and guidance for the construction and development of aviation in China. Therefore, based on air passenger flow data in 1999, 2009, and 2019, this paper presents a comparative analysis of airline networks in Europe, America (the United States), and China in four aspects: network topology, network connectivity, spatial structure and organizational patterns. The results show that: First, the scale of the airline network is expanding, showing the characteristics of a "small world network" and double power law distribution, and the scale- free characteristics are not obvious. In addition, the air transport distance exhibits a decreasing trend from the United States, Europe, to China, and shows noncontinuous fluctuations with a downward pattern, following a certain distance decay law. Second, in contrast to China, where the distribution of airline network connectivity is relatively concentrated, Europe and America have a more evenly distributed spatial distribution of airline network connectivity. The development of airline hubs is influenced by multiple factors such as geographical location, administrative hierarchy, socio- economic conditions, tourism, airline headquarters layout and policies. Third, there is a characteristic "pyramidal" hierarchical structure to the airline connections at various levels, and air traffic tends to concentrate on a small number of city pairings. The merger and consolidation of airlines, as well as the implementation of significant policies, play a crucial role in shaping the structure of aviation networks. In Europe and the United States, the trend towards a multi- center network structure in the aviation industry is becoming increasingly prominent. In China, the aviation network has evolved from a triangular structure to a diamond- shaped structure. Fourth, the hub- and- spoke organizational model is demonstrated by China, America and Europe. However, the hub- and-spoke airline network system in America and Europe is more refined, exhibiting the traits of a multi- hub, multi- spoke network system. While China is transitioning from a dual- hub to a multi- hub model. Finally, this article puts forward some policy recommendations aimed at providing scientific reference for the future development of civil aviation passenger transportation in China.