Deformation of the transport price field in Russia (a case study of long-haul passenger flight connections)

Abstract

The article considers changes in the transport price field during the period of 2009–2013, which appeared the most significant in modern Russia’s transformation of passenger air transportation. During this time, appreciable changes in the cost of flight connections are observed, caused by both growing competition in the market and state subsidization of passenger air transportation. Cost-based accessibility, along with time-based, is one of the key modern criteria of the country’s connectedness, although it remains insufficiently studied. In a case study of long-haul passenger air transportation, regional deformation peculiarities are defined (convergence and separation) and the spatial shapes of transport price fields of various hierarchical levels are identified. In certain examples, possibilities of increasing Russia’s connectedness by both market factors and state regulation are delineated. This article paints a different picture of the spatial connectedness of individual Russian cities obtained by assessment of cost-based accessibility.