Comparative Analysis of Seasonality Patterns in Faro Airport (Portugal)

Abstract

Seasonality is a reality in leisure tourist destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Algarve (Portugal) Region in Europe. The objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the seasonal effects on passenger air operations to/from Faro airport (Algarve), based on a comparative analysis that takes into account a period of low season (February) and a period of high season (August). In methodological terms, the analysis will be exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative although based on quantitative elements, taking into account the origin destinations of the traffic, the airlines and their operations and the respective number of flights. The results obtained show the strong incidence of seasonality at Faro airport, both with an increase in the number of flights operated in high season, as well as a greater number of airlines and destinations (some of them operated exclusively seasonal).