Atlanta declared most efficient airport in North America, world

Canberra, July 23 (ANI): The Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) has named Atlanta as the most efficient airport in North America and the world for handling most traffic for the 11th consecutive year in 2008. It also declared it to be well managed financially and a competitive place for airlines to operate.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, ATRS compared the performance and cost competitiveness of 142 airports and 16 airport groups in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Hong Kong International was identified as the most efficient in Asia-Pacific, while Sydney's airport was named the second most efficient in the region for airports handling more than 15 million passengers per year.

Oslo Airport was judged the most efficient in Europe, the position that was occupied Copenhagen for several years.

"The award was proof that the airport operates efficiently, which benefits everyone, and these things do not go unnoticed in the world at large," Nic Nilsen, the managing director of Oslo Airport, said.

The Seoul-Gimpo Airpor has been ranked highest in the small airport category for Asia-Pacific.

In Canada, Vancouver was named fifth in North America in the large airport category for its efficiency.

Among Canada's smaller airports, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa were the highest ranked, with Edmonton edging out 2009-winner Calgary by increasing non-aeronautical revenue by 144 per cent between 2001 and 2008.

Non-aeronautical revenue streams can help airports achieve higher efficiency so they can lower aircraft landing fees and attract more aeronautrical business, according to the survey.

"Airports are finding success by supplementing core income through periphery revenue sources that can range from parking and retail operations to real estate development and golf courses," Tae Oum, president of the ATRS and professor at the Sauder School of Business said.

By diversifying revenue sources, airports boost their efficiency and also enhance their ability to weather turbulent periods of recession," he added. (ANI)