International hubs as a factor of local development: evidence from Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, and Leipzig, Germany

Abstract

This paper discusses regional development in the context of logistics hub strategies, particularly in the air cargo business. It illustrates the associated potential and dilemmas with respect to a case study conducted in Luxembourg, the capital city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and its emergence as a global hub for airfreight shipments. For comparative reasons, the paper also sheds light on the Leipzig–Halle Airport, Germany. Both cases illustrate the potential and limitations of international hubs to bring local and regional development forward.

Keywords:

• hub-and-spoke systems
• logistics
• global value chains
• urban-regional development

Acknowledgements

My sincere thanks go to three anonymous referees of the Journal who provided very useful comments to an earlier version of this manuscript. I am also grateful to Evan McDonough for assistance and Margret Vince for proofreading.