Geographical Analysis of the European Air Cargo Network: A Comparative Study from Pre-COVID-2019 to Pandemic-Impacted 2021

Cem Ersoz (), Sena Kilic and Huseyin Onder Aldemir
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Cem Ersoz: Ozyegin University, Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences
Sena Kilic: Ozyegin University, Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences
Huseyin Onder Aldemir: Ozyegin University, Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences

SN Operations Research Forum, 2025, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-28

Abstract: Abstract This study analyzes the structure of the European air cargo network by applying complex network analysis to Eurostat’s air cargo data from 291 airports in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 260 airports in 2021 (pandemic-impacted), across 44 European countries. The results identify Leipzig, Cologne, and Paris Charles de Gaulle as key cargo hubs whose central roles strengthened during the pandemic. While the overall network structure remained stable, increased concentration around major hubs and fewer, more centralized clusters emerged in 2021. The findings highlight the resilience of Europe’s air cargo network and emphasize the significance of geographical factors in its evolution during crisis periods.

Keywords: European air cargo network; Complex network analysis; Geographical analysis; COVID-19 impact; Aviation management; Cargo airport strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43069-025-00562-6

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