Abstract:We propose statistical methodologies to investigate taxi operations at the airport. Based on Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data of nearly 9,000 taxis in five weekdays, we apply the proposed methodologies to evaluate taxi operations at Shanghai's Hongqiao international airport. The empirical studies statistically compare the operations of taxis serving the airport and urban areas and identify the periods in which the taxi profits are relatively stable. Possible explanations for the empirical results are provided. The findings would offer a better understanding of the mechanism that drives vacant-taxi drivers to serve the airport.