The Impact of Low-Cost Airline Operations on the Development of Regional Tourism: The Case of the Cappadocia Destination and Surrounding Airports
Chapter from the book: Ongun, U. (ed.) 2026. Current Research in Tourism II.

Hamza Ceylan
Kapadokya University
Özge Taş
Kastamonu University

Synopsis

The liberalization (deregulation) of the aviation industry has paved the way for the rapid expansion of the Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) business model, significantly enhancing air transport accessibility and reshaping tourism mobility. This book chapter aims to examine the impact of LCC penetration on regional tourism development by focusing on Cappadocia, a landlocked destination with high cultural tourism potential. The study employs a quantitative research approach, analyzing passenger traffic data from Kayseri Erkilet (ASR) and Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) airports for the 2014–2023 period, alongside museum and archaeological site visitor statistics. The findings indicate that the increased flight frequency and point-to-point connectivity provided by LCCs have substantially improved the destination's perceived accessibility, thereby stimulating regional tourism demand. The results further reveal that Kayseri Erkilet Airport functions as a strategic regional distribution hub, while the capacity growth at Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport directly correlates with the surge in tourism flows. Consequently, this study demonstrates that LCC operations should be considered not merely as a transport mode but as a strategic development instrument for non-coastal tourism destinations.

How to cite this book

Ceylan, H. & Taş, Ö. (2026). The Impact of Low-Cost Airline Operations on the Development of Regional Tourism: The Case of the Cappadocia Destination and Surrounding Airports. In: Ongun, U. (ed.), Current Research in Tourism II. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1243.c5043

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Published

March 17, 2026

DOI