Benchmarking is a convenient way of lifting standards in that it attempts to measure peer group performance and thereby identify best practice, and help set achievable targets for the laggards.

Northpoint has undertaken policy benchmarking exercises across Europe in relation to PSOs and RDFs, and concerning regional access to the national hub in several EEA countries.  These have highlighted differences in the way governments have addressed route protection, route development and slot protection at congested hubs.

Northpoint is currently involved in a project that will highlight performance differences in small airport performance across a range of measures, and critically also transnationally, across Northern Europe.

The company is also interested to undertake other benchmarking exercises and, where possible, to widen the comparisons to incorporate other world regions.  Research sponsors are currently being sought!