Job satisfaction,organizational commitment,and flight attendants’ turnover intentions: A note

This study looks at the effects of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and individual factors on flight attendants’ turnover intentions. It makes use of samples of the attendants from a Taiwanese airline company. From the results of a logistic regression analysis, two aspects of organizational commitment (i.e. normative commitment and continuance commitment) as well as job-itself satisfaction were found significantly negative impact on flight attendants’ turnover intentions. In addition, wage and martial status were found to be significant predictors of turnover intentions.     

Antecedents and outcomes of flight attendants’ job satisfaction

This paper develops and tests a comprehensive model for job satisfaction amongst flight attendants with antecedents and outcomes that are germane in the context of airlines. The antecedents are: jetlag, role overload, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization, and the outcomes are; job performance and service recovery performance. A framework was tested using structural equation modelling. A survey was conducted of flight attendants working in Malaysia found exhaustion and personal accomplishment have a direct effect on job satisfaction; emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment affect the level of depersonalization; and role overload has a positive relationship.     

Transition process activities and team efficacy of flight attendants

The research goals of this study were to investigate how transition process activities among flight attendants affect team efficacy. We distributed a total of 600 questionnaires to flight teams in an airline company, which yielded a usable response of 275 fully completed questionnaires in the end. The research model and the hypotheses were tested using a structural equation modeling approach.Our findings suggest that transition team activities have emerged as an important asset in team efficacy; moreover, increasing flight attendants' job satisfaction should be a priority for airline companies. Second, communication between flight attendants requires not just the delivery of information but also receipt and comprehension of the knowledge interchange, third, the development of shared leadership should be concerned in flight teams.     

Characterizing the Brazilian airspace structure and air traffic performance via trajectory data analytics

This paper presents a data-driven approach for multi-scale characterization of the Brazilian airspace structure and air traffic operational performance from aircraft tracking data recorded by surveillance systems. Unsupervised learning is performed with a flight trajectory clustering analysis to automatically identify spatial traffic patterns in both the terminal and the en route airspace for major origin-destination pairs of the Brazilian air transportation system. Based on the as-flown route structure learned, quantitative metrics are developed to describe the structural efficiency of the airspace and the operational efficiency of the traffic flows. For this, actual flight trajectories are projected onto reference nominal trajectories in space and time. The results allowed for cross-route comparisons of air traffic flow efficiency across multiple flight phases as well as for the identification of causal factors for trajectory deviations from nominal routes. An interactive data analytics tool is also created to output performance statistics and air traffic visualizations. With the provision of a systematic data-driven approach for characterizing actual air traffic operations, the analytics framework is envisioned to assist airspace design and performance monitoring processes and to provide the basis for developing predictive capabilities in support of traffic flow management.     

Exploring the impacts of employee advocacy on job satisfaction and organizational commitment: Case of Taiwanese airlines

The accessibility of information through the Internet has enables flight attendants to become more informed, as well as developing more control of their own affairs. Employee advocacy is related to the transparency of airlines' employment offers and the airlines' willingness to do what is best for their employees. After reviewing the relevant literature, this study focuses on how employee advocacy is influenced by the way employees are treated by their airlines. We explored strategies that airline administrations apply to employee advocacy, developed a research setting, analyzed the factors involved, and developed a casual model of the antecedents and consequences of employee advocacy. We formulated 5 hypotheses. Data were collected, using a questionnaire survey of flight attendants in Taiwanese airlines. All hypotheses were verified with data from a sample of the respondents, by using a structural equation model. Our results indicated that employee advocacy is positively related to flight attendants' job satisfaction and commitment to the organization. Organizational innovation, supervisor support, and employee empowerment are positively related to employee advocacy. Finally, this study concludes by discussing managerial implications and providing suggestions for future research.     

A literature review and citation analyses of air travel demand studies published between 2010 and 2020

Accurate forecasting of air travel demand is vital for the resource planning of the air transportation industry. Therefore, identifying contributing factors and understanding the effect of these factors in causing the variation of air travel demand have been one of the key focus areas in air transportation research. This article reviews 87 air travel demand studies published from 2010 to 2020 and summarizes these studies using their input data and primary analytical methods. We also devise and conduct three citation analyses to further explore the relationships among the reviewed studies. Our review finds that a typical empirical study of air travel demand analysis would focus on the demand at the national level, employ time-series data concerning socio-economic and airline operational factors and use time-series based methods to estimate the relationship among the selected time-series. These studies are mostly applying existing analytical frameworks to specific problems rather than developing original methods, therefore their relationship to each other is parallel rather than sequential. A small number of references are frequently cited by the reviewed studies primarily because of their methodological contribution to time-series analysis. A common limitation of existing literature is that very few reviewed studies provide validation of their analyses. In addition, methods that are not regression or time-series based have very limited application in this area so far, so are the non-convention data such as mobility data or social media data. Besides providing a systematic summary of recent publications in a specific field, this review uses a relatively objective and replicable framework to compare and link studies by their references, which can be visualized by the figures included in this review. This review is expected to benefit future researchers that are interested in either air transportation or the application of time-series forecasting in an applied domain.     

How to create genuine happiness for flight attendants: Effects of internal marketing and work-family interface

Drawing on the combination of affective event theory and the job demands–resources model, this paper advances research on the link between organization-related predictors and individual-related outcomes through a psychological mechanism in the aviation industry. Specifically, this study makes a novel contribution as the first to quantitatively explore how internal marketing helps build happiness by changing flight attendants' work-family interface. Using a sample of 142 flight attendants working in airline companies based in Asian countries, our results indicate that communication, welfare systems, training, and management support are directly associated with happiness and indirectly associated with happiness via work-family facilitation. Communication, welfare systems, and management support can shape cabin crews' happiness via decreased work-family conflict. However, compensation is not found to influence flight attendants’ happiness. Practical implications and potential future research avenues also are discussed.     

Risk factors associated with flying in adverse weather: From the passengers' point of view

Risk factors on the demand side of aviation safety are rarely addressed as the focus of research is most often placed on the supply side of aviation service. Even though airlines have the prerogative to cancel flights in the face of adverse weather, stranded passengers have to be reckoned with in the event of cancellation. Passengers' awareness of the risks associated with flying in adverse weather may help mitigate the confrontation as well as induce passengers to take the lead in adopting preventive measures. The aim of this article is to study the attitudes air travelers say they have towards flying in adverse weather, as well as risk factors regarding cancellation of trips in adverse weather. A conceptual framework is presented which outlines the links between risk factors and preventive measures. Data generated from a quantitative survey of 1145 air travelers, conducted in July 2015 at Taiwan's Kaohsiung International Airport, is used to examine this framework using correlation analysis and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). The factors of trust, risk perception and domestic destination are found to be positively related to passengers' stated attitude toward taking preventive measures. Income, purpose of the trip and direct experience generate ambiguous results. The outcome also suggests the following paradox: while pilots make the final decision regarding aviation safety in adverse weather, they appear to enjoy the lowest level of passenger trust.     

The antecedents and consequences of job stress of flight attendants – Evidence from Taiwan

This study investigates the relationships between the antecedents of job stress, such as work-to-family and family-to-work conflicts, and consequences, such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment and turnover intentions, of flight attendants who are typically characterized as undertaking ‘emotional labor’. Using a sample of flight attendants collected from Taiwanese airline companies, the study reveals evidence of the following linkages; family-work conflict → job stress → job satisfaction → organizational commitment → turnover intention.     

Analysis of airport weather impact on on-time performance of arrival flights for the Brazilian domestic air transportation system

Air traffic operations are significantly impacted by weather conditions. These external factors may impose operational constraints and generate demand-capacity imbalances, leading to reduced on-time performance, additional airline costs and inconveniences to passengers. Efficient management of such disruptions requires an understanding of the main causes of flight delays towards increasing their predictability. In this study, we investigate the impacts of airport surface weather conditions on the likelihood of flight delays for the Brazilian domestic air transportation system. We use historical flight schedule, on-time performance and weather data and estimate a logit model to analyze how different meteorological variables at the airport of destination affect the probability of a delayed arrival. We obtain empirical evidence for the impacts of low ceiling and visibility conditions, precipitation and wind gusts on the likelihood of arrival delays for the set of Brazilian airports analyzed.     

Perceived organizational support as the mediator of the relationships between high-performance work practices and counter-productive work behavior: Evidence from airline industry

In light of Signaling theory, this study investigates the mediating role of perceived organizational support (POS) in the relationship between high-performance work practices (HPWPs) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Judgmental sample of flight attendants in Iran was used to asses this relationship. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that empowerment, reward and promotion as indicators of HPWPs are negatively related to CWB. Further, the results support the mediating role of POS in this relationship. Specifically, results indicate that POS acts as the partial mediator in the relationships between empowerment, reward and CWB. Moreover, results support full mediating role of POS in the relationships between promotion and CWB. This study advances our understanding of organizational level antecedents of CWB and mediating role of POS as the social mechanism through which HPWPs predict employees’ behavioral outcomes.     

Beyond absolute space: An exploration of relative and relational space in Shanghai using taxi trajectory data

The nature of urban space has long-drawn geographers' interest and David Harvey's conceptual framework of multiple spaces (i.e., absolute, relative, and relational) within cities has been widely adopted and developed. With its high spatial and temporal resolution, geospatial big data plays an increasingly important role in our understanding of urban structure. Taxi trajectory data is particularly useful in travel purpose estimation and allows for more granular insights into urban mobility due to the door-to-door nature of these trips. This article utilizes taxi trajectory data and explores the interaction among absolute space, relative space, and relational space in Harvey's framework using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Through an empirical study of Shanghai's downtown area, this paper highlights the importance of Harvey's framework in understanding cities' dynamic structure and argues for changes in urban planning and development to better coordinate land use and travel demand. We find an insignificant relationship between relative and relational space in Shanghai due to a mismatch between urban mobility and the built environment. This mismatch concentrates the transportation flow near the city's core area, transforming the polycentric structure of Shanghai's built environment in absolute space to a single-node structure in relational space. After identifying the contributing factors to this problem in Shanghai, this article suggests combining Harvey's conceptual framework of multiple spaces with geospatial big data to inform planning strategies that address the challenges of rapid urbanization.     

Small community airport choice behavior analysis: A case study of GTR

The issue of airport selection attracts considerable attention. However, most studies focus on using advanced discrete choice models to analyze airport choice behavior in metropolitan areas with several closely located, competing airports. This paper addresses passengers’ choice behavior in selecting between local small community airports and more distant major commercial airport. It looks at factors affecting air travelers’ airport choice behavior in cities with small community air service. Data relating to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Mississippi is used in logistic regressions to identify the key factors that influence air travelers’ airport choices. Ticket price, experience with Golden Triangle Regional Airport and flight schedule were found to be the strongest effects.     

A passenger demand model for air transportation in a hub-and-spoke network

This paper develops an air passenger model that deals with city-pair demand generation and demand assignment in a single framework. Using publicly available and regularly collected panel data, the model captures both time series and cross-sectional variation of air travel demand. The empirical analysis finds that pattern of correlations among alternatives can be described by a three-level nested logit model. Fare, frequency, flight time, direct routing, on-time performance, income, and market distance have significantly effects on air demand. Correcting for the problem of endogenous air fares using instrumental variables yields more plausible estimates of price sensitivity and value of time.     

The Scottish Highland Games: evolution,development and role as a community event

This article provides an in-depth review of the Highland Games as an event that has achieved worldwide recognition, staged not just in Scotland but across the globe where Scottish Diasporas exist, although the focus here is on Scotland. Highland Games events are complex to categorise and conceptualise considering their multi-layered nature and scope, encompassing a multitude of activities each based on diverse local histories and traditions. The article commences with a detailed historical analysis of the Highland Games in Scotland to illustrate the distinctiveness and uniqueness of this type of event. A review of the event literature follows to illustrate the complexities and problems that conventional event typologies pose for seeking to classify or categorise the Highland Games, emphasising the community basis of such events as a starting point for understanding this phenomenon. The article reports the results of an empirical study of Highland Games events in Scotland and addresses a number of the current concerns and debates associated with the staging of Highland Games, including the challenges that non-profit Games organisations face in continuing the community tradition of event hosting. One particular issue that features is an acknowledgement of the dangers posed by the more commercial priorities of contemporary event management to the rich cultural heritage that underpins the Highland Games which could easily become neglected or even eradicated through more professional organisation.     

A ticket to ride: Evolving landscapes of air travel accessibility in the United States

During the past decade, air passenger service in the United States has been exposed to numerous carrier bankruptcies, antitrust investigations, mergers, labor problems and a massive increase in competition. These internal elements, combined with the rising costs of fuel and the threat of terrorism combine to make a relatively uncertain air travel landscape for both passengers and operators. Moreover, these dynamics have generated significant geographical shifts in airline route structures and airports serviced by commercial carriers. These factors, combined with increasing levels of consumer access to fare and routing information, have altered the landscape of air travel accessibility in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to examine issues of consumer air travel accessibility through an analysis of three critical measures: flight segments, flight time and ticket costs. In addition, a typology of air passenger accessibility is generated for the 156 busiest commercial airports in the United States using these three measures. Results suggest significant local and regional biases in time and cost, relative to distance, for many US markets.     

Paternalistic leadership and cabin crews’ upward safety communication: The motivation of voice behavior

Being the frontline operators in the airline industry, flight attendants constantly obtain and collect first-hand information from their interactions with passengers and other crew members. Their experiences and observations may contribute greatly to airlines' safety management and policy making. It is thus critical to learn how to enhance cabin crews' voice behavior, particularly communicating safety related issues upward through specific leadership styles. The current research aims at the flight attendants working for Taiwanese international airlines. The cabin crew department managers' paternalistic leadership style is adopted to observe how it may trigger cabin crews' different types of voice behavior. This research addresses the following two major questions: 1. What is the motivation for cabin crew to conduct upward safety communication? 2. How does department managers' paternalistic leadership style impact cabin crew's voice behavior? Regression analysis is used to analyze the empirical data collected by the questionnaire survey. The results are applied to provide airlines with practical references for constituting human resource management policies, and the findings also enhance existing literature regarding management applications and employees voice behaviors.     

Modeling the flight departure delay using survival analysis in South Korea

The air transportation industry in South Korea has been growing since the 2000s. Although the number of air passengers has continuously increased, the flight delay rate has fluctuated from year to year. In this study, a survival analysis was conducted to compare each flight delay in terms of airport/time slot and to evaluate the actual impacts of major variables on flight delays. We performed multiple analyses using survival analysis methodologies, including the Kaplan–Meier estimator, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model. In particular, we applied a turnaround buffer as a key variable in Cox proportional hazards model analysis. The survival curve showed that more international flights departed earlier than scheduled or with minimal delay than domestic flights. However, international flights tended to have more long-term delays. The log-rank test indicated that international flights had a wider distribution of delay times than domestic flights. In the Cox proportional hazards analysis, under the condition in which the actual flight turnaround time was less than 120 min, the results indicated that the longer the actual turnaround buffer was, the less frequently the delays occurred. By using these analyses, we could numerically verify the actual delay trends in South Korea. The results can be used as fundamental resources for political and economic decision-making processes in the aviation industry.     

Linking brand commitment and brand citizenship behaviors of airline employees: “The role of trust”

Despite the growing interest in understanding employees' brand related behaviors in the airline industry, the research in this area mainly focus on the effect of employee brand commitment and limit the empirical support as well. Although, brand commitment explains brand behaviors of employees, commitment in a relationship usually works through trust. Therefore, this study integrated brand trust and analyzed the relation between brand trust and brand commitment on brand citizenship behaviors of employees. Data were collected from 523 flight attendants of a corporate airline company. The findings reveal that brand trust has a significant effect on brand citizenship behaviors as well as it mediates the effect of brand commitment on these behaviors. The uniqueness of this study is the integration of brand trust for its effect on commitment and brand citizenship behaviors of employees as well providing empirical support for their relationship within the context of airline industry.     

Aviation human factors: a framework for the new millennium

This paper presents a survey of the literature on human factors in airline safety and builds a conceptual framework for designing future safety studies. In our framework, factors are analyzed to determine their association with operational errors rather than accidents. Since operational errors occur with much greater frequency than accidents, our new approach allows for the analysis of the more complex relationships and interactions that occur among various factors. Results generated through the analysis of operational data can enhance the decision-making process and help reduce pilot-error accidents. We also include recommendations for how data should be collected and stored in order for researchers to more effectively analyze flight safety data.