An Evaluation of the Egyptian Airports’ Operational Strategies and its Impact in Improving the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Airports | ||
| The Scientific Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University | ||
| Article 3, Volume 21, Issue 1, June 2024, Pages 31-56 PDF (1.37 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/thalexu.2024.365392 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Iten El Rouby* 1; Nashwa Fouad; Sara El-Sebai2; Eman El-Tanahy1 | ||
| 1Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University | ||
| 2High Institute of Hotel and Tourism and Restoration Aboukir | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Due to the fierce competition in the aviation business environment, more and more airports are struggling to keep an appropriate market share. Competitive business environments reduce the dominance and monopolies of airport operators. Airports can compete fairly if they have greater freedom, or if they compete in an environment that enables airlines to decide where their fleet operates without the dominance of any airport operator. This study aims to evaluate the operational strategies of small and medium-sized Egyptian airports, compare these strategies to those of global leading airports, and examine the impact of these strategies on their competitiveness in the global and Egyptian markets. In addition, the study sets a framework that small and medium-sized airports can apply to increase their competitiveness locally and worldwide. The data collection method for primary data involved conducting structured face-to-face and telephone interviews with 50 managers and supervisors employed at the Cairo Airport Company and the Egyptian Airports Company in Cairo. Furthermore, secondary data was extracted from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (EHCAAN) websites, to evaluate the operational strategies of Egyptian Airports. The study also utilized time series analysis to explore the impacts of governmental initiatives on passenger flow and flight movement over the period from 2014 to 2022. The analysis showed that both Egyptian airport companies don’t prioritize operating short-haul and domestic routes. Furthermore, Egyptian airports don’t offer transit visas but only issue visas on arrival for selected nationalities. The findings also revealed that the discriminatory development strategies of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Civil Aviation strengthen the competitiveness of some airports while weakening others. To increase flight movements, operators should develop inciting strategies to attract airline carriers to choose their airports for maintenance, fueling, or departure. Egyptian airports should collaborate with the Immigration Authority to facilitate procedures and encourage tourists to select their airports as transit points. Additionally, operators can generate additional non-aeronautical revenues by renting out specific terminals and lounges to serve specific types of flights or travelers. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Competitiveness; Monopoly; Operational Strategies; Small and Medium-sized Airports; Time-Series | ||
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