Air Cargo Transport development in Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic countries

The economic and social development in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Baltic countries in the last ten years, the admission of first 10 countries from this area in European Union has an important impact on the evolution of air transport in this area. We present the approach used by the airlines for choosing an airport for air cargo operation, step by step: chose of the region of operation, then the economic analysis of the region and of the airports, analysis of possible constraints for operations and individual performances of airport. The interest of airlines for an airport is generated by the growth of the county or of the region, the trade, the foreign investments and the labor market development, all indicators being analyzed in the paper. The diversification of the trade business model, the development of e-commerce has had an important impact on the development of cargo traffic in the world and of course also in CEE. The features of the air cargo transport market have had a great influence on governmental policies for airport cargo capacity development in CEE and in Baltic Countries. In order to provide airports with strategic information for building development strategies, this paper presents a comparative analysis of the evolution and demands of air cargo transport using external and internal benchmarking approach. The target group is represented by capitals' airports from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. © 2022 IEEE.

Public Financial Support to Aviation During the COVID-19 in the Baltic Countries

The paper analyses government financial support (state aid) arrangements to the aviation sector in the Baltic countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The support schemes include three main features. First, the design of public support schemes grounds on a standardized Keynesian framework of stimulation measures during economic recessions. Second, state aid is a rather sensitive issue in the European Union context. Support schemes are generally banned and strictly regulated even in the global pandemic situation. Third, stimulation measures depend on countries' capabilities to support their flag carriers. Which has a direct impact on the post-COVID-19 competition situation in the region. The paper focuses on comparative analyses of the scope of state aid in the COVID-19 situation in the Baltic Sea Region. In the frames of research is given an overview of stimulative instruments proposed by international aviation organizations. As a conclusion will be discussed motives to support aviation and stimulation schemes particularities. © 2021 Kaunas University of Technology. All rights reserved.