Sustainable Airport Development: A Literature Review Based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Methodology, Using OpenAlex Database

João Couto () and Maria Emilia Baltazar
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João Couto: Higher Institute of Education and Sciences (ISEC Lisboa), School of Business, Engineering and Aeronautics, 1750-142 Lisboa, Portugal
Maria Emilia Baltazar: Higher Institute of Education and Sciences (ISEC Lisboa), School of Business, Engineering and Aeronautics, 1750-142 Lisboa, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-34

Abstract: Airport sustainability has gained increasing attention as the aviation industry faces the challenge of balancing economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social standards. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) using the OpenAlex database. The PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology was applied to refine the selection process, resulting in 66 relevant studies. Then, a bibliometric–systematic literature review (B-SLR) approach was employed to analyze trends and identify research gaps. The findings indicate that most studies often focus on two sustainability pillars at a time, while neglecting a fully integrated perspective. Not many research works simultaneously address all three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social), leading to fragmented insights into sustainable airport management. Notably, some industry-driven reports are starting to suggest emerging holistic approaches, but the majority of the academic literature remains segmented. Hence, this study highlights the need for a more comprehensive research framework that considers environmental, economic, and social factors concurrently. Future research should integrate these dimensions to develop practical and well-balanced sustainability strategies; while methodological limitations may exist in this work, such as language constraints and dataset selection criteria, this review provides valuable insights into airport sustainability and lays the groundwork for further scientific studies.

Keywords: sustainability; airports; systematic literature review; PRISMA; OpenAlex (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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