ABSTRACT
The European air transport system consists of airports, air traffic control (aviation infrastructure), and airlines providing services to satisfy expected passenger and freight demand. Evidence has shown that the physical characteristics and traffic volumes of the European air transport system have been impressive. According to data provided by A.E.A. (Association of European Airlines), there have been over 210 airports in the Western Europe. Within the EU (European Union) countries there have been over 100 airports (i.e. 104 cities are served by 110 airports). All these airports serve more than 250000 passengers and 10000 tonnes of air cargo per year. There have been 17 such airports in EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries. European air traffic is monitored and controlled by 45 Air Traffic Control centres. They are subdivided into 191 low altitude and 212 high altitude sectors. The airports and these centres drew up the aviation infrastructure in Europe (European Parliament 1991). More than 200 airlines have operated at Western European airports (approximately 145 of them have managed their flights within EU). More than 50 percent of their operations have been realized as scheduled services. The most famous European airlines are 22 ‘flag carriers’: Most of their flights are scheduled on the main continental, inter-European and intercontinental routes. The scale and volume of operations carried out between particular countries and the relationship between particular airlines in operation have been regulated for years by more than 2 0 0 bilateral agreements (Button and Swann 1991; European Parliament 1991).
