Airports perform a fundamental role in international economic development. International air transportation is a major force in the globalization of production and distribution systems that allow goods and people to travel longer distances and more quickly than other transportation modes. Moreover, international tourism is nowadays highly developed mainly due to air transportation networks. Budget airline companies such as Ryanair and easyJet, with their low ticket prices and a wide range of destinations, have led to tourists being willing to travel to places not thought of as tourist destinations. These airlines sometimes fly to secondary airports further from the city center, but still tourists are attracted by their lower prices.

Airports now offer several types of services that go well beyond the typical aeronautical activities. Some airports ...