THIRD-LEVEL AIRLINE OPERATIONS: A DECADE OF EXPANSION

(pp. 1 - 13)

Dr. Jane Lancaster

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Abstract

Most geographers are aware of the burgeoning economic, technological, and cultural impact of air transportation in this country and elsewhere, but few are aware of the function and interplay of third-level airline operations in North American communications. Known variously as scheduled air taxis, commuter airlines, and third-level airlines, these carriers offer scheduled, short-haul transportation between points generating sufficient traffic to justify the use of light aircraft, mostly twin-engine. Their passenger capacity ranges from three to nineteen; some are larger. In addition to passengers, cargo and mail can be carried. Although in existence since 1948, the commuter air carriers have expanded their operations markedly over the past decade, in terms of numbers of aircraft, employees, points served, passengers, and revenue miles flown. Communities abandoned by railroads, and feeder or trunk airline service have re-established or initiated new links to hubs through the third-level carriers.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORTATION

(pp. 14 - 17)

Dr. Peter O. Muller

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

For the uninitiated geographer seeking to acquaint himself with the scope and content of modern transportation geography, perusal of current writings in the subject can be a bewildering experience. Although badly-needed guides to this literature are due to appear very shortly [Taaffe and Gauthier (31), Hurst (19)], the present disorganization of the field is intensified by the wide variation in methods used (with sophisticated quantitative techniques increasingly dominant) as well as the free introduction of theory from such diversified disciplines as economics, regional science, and civil engineering.