The rapid economic growth of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has relied heavily on effective transport infrastructure. This study analyzes the efficiency of 51 international airports in the ASEAN region from 2013 to 2023 to assess their impact on regional development. Using data envelopment analysis, this study identifies a significant efficiency divide, with major hubs like Singapore Changi and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta performing optimally, while airports in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Myanmar lag considerably. This disparity highlights a critical bottleneck to balanced economic growth. The study’s findings challenge policymakers to look beyond capital city hubs and invest strategically in secondary airports to alleviate congestion, stimulate ASEAN economies, and harness the full developmental potential of aviation. The study contributes to the literature on infrastructure and development by providing a novel application of efficiency analysis to inform regional policymaking in a key emerging market. Future research should explore the dynamic relationship between airport investment and localized economic outcomes.
COLIN C. H. LAW (2026) studied this question.