The evolution of air transport networks and impacts on shortest travel times between NUTS-3 regions - a case study for intra-European trips originating in Germany

Kurzfassung

We present a methodology to analyze shortest car and air travel times for trips between European regions. We apply our model for travel from Germany to Europe on the level of NUTS-3 regions (districts and larger cities) in order to assess on which routes air transport provides a travel time benefit over individual motor car traffic. Moreover, we compare the development of travel times between 2000 and 2017 to show how the evolution of the air transport network has influenced shortest travel times.