Connectivity carbon and noise levels in the airport neighbourhood

Many airport connectivity measures have been studied and proposed in the literature to capture both the effects of increased/reduced airport connectivity and the quality level of the connections. This study focuses on the relationship between connectivity – measured by air links and number of flights – and airport carbon/noise local levels. Although airport connectivity evokes the perception of geographical distances covered by air services, on ground connectivity consequences affect directly airport neighbourhood. Increased airport connectivity generally generates increasing number of airport movements that, in turn, produce higher levels of environmental externalities, such as noise and carbon emissions, mainly on local communities. To quantify such relationship, the Viable Connectivity Index (VCI)is proposed, which combines connectivity and noise/carbon levels at the airport. The index could be used as a preliminary test of airport operator policy actions to identify suitable policies addressed to reduce their noise and carbon amount and keep at the same time good connectivity levels. The test case of Bologna airport - a large regional airport in Northern Italy - is also discussed.