This paper argues that airport economics is based on the concept of economics as the positive value free science of efficient allocation of scarce resources with given wants, ignoring the approach of economics as a moral science. It assesses critically the results on major policy issues. Although there is strong empirical evidence of natural monopoly of airports, no consensus has emerged. The effects of privatisation have been assessed in terms of cost efficiency, but not in terms of economic welfare and distribution. While airport economics has made theoretical progress, the policy recommendations on single versus dual till are less relevant than those from the older models. Airport expansion is assessed in many cases by economic impact studies instead of cost benefit analysis. Economists applying impact analysis, have contributed to an irrational policy discussion. The role for morals in the management of airports has been neglected, although there is evidence that incentives might backfire. The paper argues that airport economics based on economics as a moral science could improve airport economics, and make its policy recommendations more relevant.

本文认为，机场经济学是基于经济学的概念，即根据给定需求对稀缺资源进行有效配置的积极价值自由科学，而忽略了经济学作为道德科学的方法。它批判性地评估重大政策问题的结果。尽管有强有力的经验证据表明机场自然垄断，但尚未达成共识。私有化的影响是根据成本效率而不是经济福利和分配来评估的。虽然机场经济学在理论上取得了进展，但与旧模型相比，关于单机柜和双机柜的政策建议的相关性较低。在许多情况下，机场扩建是通过经济影响研究而不是成本效益分析来评估的。经济学家应用影响分析，助长了非理性的政策讨论。道德在机场管理中的作用一直被忽视，尽管有证据表明激励措施可能适得其反。该论文认为，基于经济学作为道德科学的机场经济学可以改善机场经济学，并使其政策建议更具相关性。