Stakeholders’ views regarding macro-environment impacts on commercial flight operations in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, the aviation industry facilitates the efficient movement of passengers and goods across borders to support economic access to various local, regional and international markets. As an indirect stimulus for other economies, the aviation industry is known for distinct economic competitiveness, low profit margins and vulnerability to macro-environment fluctuations. Although many studies have focused specifically on scheduled airline’s operations, this study of commercial flight operations in South Africa encompasses both airline operations and charter/on-demand operations.

Objectives: The key research objective was to critically review stakeholders’ perceptions on the macro-environment’s influences on the flight operations subsector of South African aviation industry.

Method: As research methodology to explore manifest and latent meaning in dialogue, qualitative content analysis was employed in this study. Data were collected through interviews with the stakeholders of South African aviation industry and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: This study revealed stakeholders’ views on the effects of political, economic, sociocultural, technological, legal and ecological (PESTLE) framework embedded in the macro-environment of commercial flight operations in South Africa.

Conclusion: Although the macro-environment is uncontrollable by the industry, each of the PESTLE framework’s dimensions presents challenges as well as growth opportunities. Continuous monitoring and a comprehensive understanding of the probable impacts of the macro-environment are necessary to remain competitive.