Abstract (Translated):
Productivity is a major concern in the airline and air transport industry. For airlines themselves a lot of research and results has been put forward, for airports themselves such research is scarce. Therefore the following paper is quite interesting as it uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) in order to calculate specific efficiency scores of twelve large German airports for the performance areas passengers and freight. Calculation results show that the airports of Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Hahn) and Leipzig/Halle to be very efficient. This is also true for Berlin, where atypical cost reductions have been applied in preparation for the planned switch from two old (Schönefeld, Tegel) to one new airport site. Therefore the result for Berlin is not feasible for a scientific efficiency reporting. Nevertheless the airport concepts and management in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Hahn) and Leipzig/Halle should be included in any benchmarking approach in this industry.