Assessment of Turkish airport performances via two-phase network DEA models based on CSWs

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a widely used strategic performance management tool to evaluate airport performance. However, earlier studies have identified shortcomings in DEA. The first is using conventional DEA models for single-phase modelling of intricate structures like airports. The second is that when DEA calculates efficiency scores, some important aspects are ignored with zero weights. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a minimax two-phase DEA model can address these issues in performance evaluations of complex units like airports by achieving more consistent efficiency scores and ranks. To evaluate airport performance, two models are compared: the minimax two-phase DEA model based on common set of weights (CSWs) and the common multiplicative two-phase DEA model. Data from 42 Turkish airports covering the years 2014–2019 are analysed for this purpose. The two phases of an airport model are flight infrastructure and flight consolidation. The results demonstrate that more consistent rankings and efficiency scores are obtained when the minimax two-phase DEA model based on CSW is used. The study highlights the model's benefits for strategic performance evaluation and offers recommendations for policymakers and airport engineers regarding further investments.