PASSENGER AIR TRANSPORT IN THE INTEGRATION OF THE BALTIC SEA REGION

The Baltic Sea Region is an EU macroregion where intense integration processes take place. Integration priorities and policies are set out by the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The document recognised "connectivity" as one of the three primary objectives, while transport development as one of the 13 specific objectives. The main element of this region is the sea basin which is a physical barrier for integration processes. Overcoming this barrier is a challenge for the transport system, in particular for the air transport. This paper analyses the key factors of this system. Literature research was conducted. The Region was delimited, taking into account both state borders and borders of NUTS 2 statistical regions situated at the Baltic Sea. Based on cutting-edge IT tools (Skyscanner and Flightradar), airports which serve passenger traffic in this region were identified. Measures of air infrastructure development as well as air transport and price accessibility were prepared. Next, empirical research on this issue was conducted. The Region, which has an area of 3,839.8 km2 and a population of 107.51 m., has 163 airports that serve 983 intra-regional air operations. The highest number of operations was noted in capital airports in Scandinavian countries (Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen). As regards measures of air operations and measures of air infrastructure development, a wide disparity between the well-developed Scandinavian countries and the other part of the Region was observed. Analysis of price accessibility of air services gave different results. Scandinavian countries together with Belarus and Russia proved to have unfavourable price accessibility. Kaliningrad had the most expensive and worst connectivity among Baltic airports. Out of airports not situated in capitals, the Gdansk airport had the best connectivity. As regards the development of the passenger air transport system, the integration of the Baltic Sea Region was found to be good.