Safety in Air Transport: Risk Perception, Airside and Landside Solutions

In this paper the air transport safety is investigated although this mode has an excellent security, both in absolute and in relative terms with respect to the other transport modes. We try to give answers to some aspect of this topic by focusing on consequences of policy interventions, in terms of safety, that can be harmful for the air transport market and mobility. The structure of the paper is as follows. The first part examines the problem of security of the European transport system, with particular attention to the issue of risk perception by users of air transport. The centrality of this issue is based on this simple idea: since individuals, in a completely unjustified way, tend to be more concerned for a plane flight than for the other modes of transport, this could generate a switch of passenger traffic to other modes of transport, with negative consequences for the whole system. The paper tackles the issues of safety and security with reference to the application, in order to highlight the risk perception of air transport mode by potential users and the effects that this perception determines on air transport demand. In addition, we examine the relative importance of risk perception of air transport at different levels of “perceived control” of the air transport mode, such as confidence in the ability of risk management by authorities. Finally, from the supply side, assessment methodologies, for infrastructural investments in the airport sector implemented at national level, are shortly analysed. They are absolutely necessary to adapt infrastructural endowments to ENAC regulations, which are designed to ensure the highest levels of airport security and safety. In the paper is also presented a case of study. The analysis shows how, through the application of classical methods suggested by the scientific literature, improvements in condition for safe operation are not pursued exclusively. They also have positive effects on the environment which are measurable by a reduction of negative environmental and human externalities, as well as also in terms of congestion reduction. So, those that may seem measures for complying with ICAO official documents or ENAC regulations can generate substantial benefits not only in terms of safety, but also in terms of positive externalities and of airport facilities efficiency that are affected by such interventions