Assessing The Non-Aviation Services for Optimizing the Dwell Time Spent by Air ‎Passengers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty Of Tourism and Hotels, Luxor University, Egypt

Abstract

The aviation sector has become the most important part of the economic development of any country, as it played an effective role in transporting products or people from one place to another, whether international or domestic. The development of global air transport activities has led to an increase in the demand for airport services, requiring more efficient operations to serve aircraft, passengers, or luggage. However, airports are exploring new ways to maximize their revenues. Where airports have been transformed into multiple purpose organizations, including commercial facilities that are the primary source of non-aviation income. The main purpose of this research is to identify and assess non-aviation services presented at the airport to optimize the passenger's dwell time at the airport (Case research –Cairo International Airport-terminal 3). This major aim has sub- objectives. For this sake, the mixed approach methodology was used to conduct the research with mixed techniques. The quantitative approach represented in the questionnaire targeted the passengers at Cairo International Airport-T3. While the qualitative approach represented in   participant observation by the researcher and interviews conducted with 12 people were distributed through both direct (face-to-face) interviews as well as indirect interviews over the telephone. In this research, the respondents consisted of airport officials, staff of station and public relations and shopkeepers. The main result is that Cairo International Airport is qualified to optimize the dwell time spent by air passengers, but it needs to add, and develop some new services that improve the passenger experience. In addition, the dwell time directly affects the airport revenues, and that there is a positive relationship between the dwell time and passenger spending.The research  recommends that the addition of some new services at Cairo International Airport, Spreading awareness of the use of modern smart technologies among passengers.

Keywords