The evolution of the airport business is demonstrated by airports that are adopting
new business strategies and commercial models, which allow them to be, for
example, service providers instead of real-estate managers, with the focus on
cost reduction and increasing non-aeronautical (commercial) revenues.
Information technology (IT) can be used by airports to achieve their business
goals, such as enhancing performance by delivering cost reductions and
generating additional revenue streams.
Airports operate in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market, with the aim
of attracting a larger share of hub traffic from neighbouring airports. Therefore,
financial and operational performance will be key elements for airlines when
choosing a new airport destination.
The research shows that airports are more focused on passenger satisfaction,
resulting in airport performance indicators that have the passenger at its
operational core and performance targets (e.g. Airport Service Quality passenger
satisfaction survey). IT plays an important role in increasing airport performance
through the automation of processes such as the deployment of common-use
check-in desks and self-service check-in kiosks. Studies of other industries have
shown evidence that IT impacts firm performance, but there have been few
studies related to the airport industry.
Thus, the aim of this research is to assess the relationship between IT and airport
performance, and it proposes a conceptual framework to assess the relationship
between IT and airport performance by drawing from studies in other industries.
Two methodologies were used in this research, the first one was the case study,
and the second one was the online survey. The case studies consisted of 16 faceto-
face interviews with senior staff representing two airports in Asia, one airport
in Australia, and one airport in Europe. The case studies result show that there is
a relationship between IT and airport performance ... [cont.]
