Dr. Hinnerk Gnutzmann

Quantitative Economics for European Regulation

Air Passenger Rights (EC261)  •  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

About

Dr. Hinnerk Gnutzmann is an economist specializing in the quantitative analysis of European regulation. His current work focuses on Air Passenger Rights (EC261) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

He holds a PhD in Economics from the European University Institute and an MA in economics from the University of Cambridge. His policy-shaping research has been published in leading academic journals and has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian and personally referenced by President Joe Biden.

Dr. Gnutzmann is available for select consulting engagements leveraging his research. Clients work directly with Dr. Gnutzmann, who personally executes the entire analytical workflow. This end-to-end involvement guarantees that the rigorous technical analysis is seamlessly translated into a final, robust report—clearly and objectively written to support high-stakes policy and legal objectives.

Current Policy Focus

I am available for select consulting projects on Air Passenger Rights (EC261) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). These areas directly build on my peer-reviewed academic work. If your organization is navigating the economic and market implications of these regulations, you are invited to get in touch.

1. Air Passenger Rights (EC 261)

Providing rigorous economic analysis of the regulation's impact. This includes:

  • Quantifying the regulation's effect on airline on-time performance.
  • Analyzing the economic impact of proposed reforms to EC 261.
  • Modeling the impact on international competitiveness of EC 261.

Featured Project

"Air Passenger Rights at the Crossroads: Economic Impact of the Proposed EC261 Reform", commissioned for APRA by Airhelp [Download Full Text]

Analyzed the economic impact of proposed reforms to EC 261 (Air Passenger Rights), providing a quantitative report for high-level policy discussions.

2. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Assessing the real-world economic and trade impact of the EU's CBAM. This includes:

  • Modeling cost pass-through for commodity importers, accounting for capacity constraints and international market linkages.
  • Investigating international competitiveness effects of CBAM and incentives for investment.
  • Analyzing how supply chain structures and international trade flows will adapt to the new carbon pricing regime.

Featured Research

"Cost pass-through in commodity markets with capacity constraints and international linkages", published in Journal of Applied Econometrics [Request Full Text]

Developed a novel model for cost pass-through specifically tailored to energy-intensive manufacturing sectors, which are exposed to global product market competition and regional shocks to energy and carbon prices.

Publications

  1. Gnutzmann, H., Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan, A., & Korn, T. (forthcoming). Reversal of economic integration: Evidence from EU enlargement. Scandinavian Journal of Economics. [Request Full Text]
  2. Ellwanger, R., Gnutzmann, H., & Spiewanowski, P. (2024). Cost pass-through in commodity markets with capacity constraints and international linkages. Journal of Applied Econometrics, 40(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1002/jae.3098 [Request Full Text]
  3. Gnutzmann, H. & Spiewanowski, P. (2023). Can consumer rights improve on-time performance? Evidence from European Air Passenger Rights. Transport Policy, 136, 155–168. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967070X23000768 [Request Full Text] [Policy Brief]
    Featured in: Joe Biden's speech (from 10:40), New York Times, The Guardian
  4. Gnutzmann, H., & Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan, A. (2022). The impact of trade preferences removal: Evidence from the Belarus GSP withdrawal. The World Economy, 45(9), 2977–3000. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/twec.13265 [Request Full Text] [Policy Brief]
  5. Fiorini, M., Gnutzmann, H., Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan, A., & Hoekman, B. (2020). Voluntary standards, trade, and sustainable development. In C. Beverelli, J. Kurtz, & D. Raess (Eds.), International trade, investment, and the sustainable development goals: World Trade Forum (pp. 177–200). Cambridge University Press. [Request Full Text]
  6. Gnutzmann, H., Kowalewski, O., & Spiewanowski, P. (2020). Market structure and resilience: Evidence from potash mine disasters. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 102(3), 911–933. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajae/aaz041 [Request Full Text]
  7. Gnutzmann, H., & Spiewanowski, P. (2020). Food security and fertilizer supply: The role of Arctic deposits. In K. Hossain, L. M. Nilsson, & T. M. Herrmann (Eds.), Food security in the High North: Contemporary challenges across the circumpolar region (pp. 209–222). Routledge. [Request Full Text]
  8. Gnutzmann, H., & Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan, A. (2019). The silent success of customs unions. Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, 52(1), 178–224. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/caje.12369 [Request Full Text]
    Recognition: Top Downloaded Paper 2018-2019, Canadian Journal of Economics