Multiple-airport systems: The (re)development of older airports in view of noise pollution issues

This paper revisits multiple-airport systems from a noise pollution perspective. It aims to investigate the contradictions between the (re)development of an older airport located close to the core city, despite the existence of newer airports on the one hand and noise pollution issues on the other hand. Case studies include Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, Milan, Houston and Rome. Quantitative analysis shows that traffic patterns are more diverse than previous classifications. The qualitative analysis highlights the factors inherent in these patterns, which include passengers’ preference for shorter access/egress journeys; inconsistent public policies (older airport not closed, a lack of effective rules for distributing air traffic among airports, permissive land planning and relaxing operational restrictions); low-cost airlines’ network strategies; and high-speed rail/air service integration.