Work

Mapping airport accessibility and territorial structure in Spain: a GIS-based approach using road isochrones

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article analyses airport accessibility in Spain through the calculation of road isochrones at 10, 20, 30 and 60-minute intervals for the 40 airports handling more than 100,000 passengers annually. Using Geographic Information Systems (QGIS, OpenRouteService, ArcGIS Pro) and 1 km2 population grid data, it estimates the catchment areas of each airport and the population potentially served. The results show that 84% of the Spanish population resides within one hour’s drive of a relevant airport, although significant territorial disparities persist. Three case studies – Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga – are presented to illustrate distinct accessibility profiles and functional specialisations. This research provides a robust basis for evaluating the territorial articulation of the Spanish airport system and its contribution to spatial cohesion and regional development within the broader context of twenty-first-century challenges related to sustainability and resilience.

Source: Journal of Maps

DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2025.2593965

Authors: Roberto Díez-Pisonero, Antonio Gavira Narváez

Institutions: Universidad Complutense de Madrid, University of Córdoba, University of Córdoba

Language: English

Topic: Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends

Subfield: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $778