DOI number:

10.1016/j.trc.2026.105777

Journal:

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

Key Words:

Multi-airport Region； Upstream Check-in Counters； Service Pricing； Airport Competition； Facility Location

Abstract:

This study investigates the deployment and pricing strategies of upstream check-in counters (UCICs) in a competitive multi-airport region (MAR). By optimizing location and pricing decisions, airports can enhance profits while improving passenger accessibility under both competitive and cooperative interactions within the MAR. We formulate a dynamic program to represent the sequential UCIC deployment and pricing game, which is solved using a best-response algorithm to achieve a Nash equilibrium, with passenger route choice modeled under stochastic user equilibrium (SUE) conditions. The UCIC deployment game involving three international airports in the Greater Bay Area reveals that first-mover advantages are short-lived, aggressive fare subsidization intensifies competition, and airports ultimately converge toward direct confrontation in high-value zones. In contrast, cooperative strategies substantially improve profits and network efficiency by reducing redundant deployments and mitigating destructive price competition.

Indexed by:

Journal paper

First-Level Discipline:

Management Science and Engineering

Document Type:

J

Volume:

190

Issue:

105777

Translation or Not:

no

Date of Publication:

2026-05-19

Included Journals:

SCI、SSCI