Collaborative Evolution of Inter-airport Route Based on Two-level Game Model

To effectively optimize the inter-airport route network and realize the proper functions of each airport in the airport system, this study aims to achieve the optimal match between airport subsidy policies and the required route network by investigating the relationship between airport subsidy policies and airline route adjustments. The game relationship among passengers, airlines, and airports is analyzed from the perspective of coordinated development of airport and a two-layer game model is developed. In the upper level of the model, an experience-weighted attraction model (EWA) is introduced to analyze the relationship between airline pricing strategies and passenger "escape" to determine the optimal pricing strategy for airlines. In the lower level of the model, the upper model results are used, and an asymmetric random response (QRE) equilibrium model is introduced to analyze the relationship between airport subsidies and airline route adjustments, and to determine the optimal subsidy policy for airports. The results show that: (1) The key factor that affect passengers travel behavior choices of is travel cost, which results in the effect of ticket price discounts exists a high sensitivity zone, an inert zone, and an ineffective zone. By improving ground transportation within airport clusters and controlling travel costs for passengers, it is possible to effectively guide passenger flows between airport clusters. (2) There are multiple peaks in the profits of the game between airlines and passengers, and the optimal discount interval is concentrated between 0.4 and 0.9, depending on the travel costs of passengers and the initial ticket prices. (3) Optimizing the airline network by providing subsidies within airport clusters leads to different efficiency levels of subsidy strategies between airports, including monopolistic, inefficient, and optimal collaborative intervals. (4) Integrating the dual factors of passenger travel choices and inter-airport collaborative subsidies can effectively enhance the profitability of airlines, promote the complementarity of airline routes within airport clusters, and effectively achieve coordinated development between airports. © 2023 Science Press. All rights reserved.