How can airports prepare for future public health disruptions? Experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic from a systemic perspective based on expert interviews

Nieuwborg, A.B.D.; Melles, M.; Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, S.; Santema, S.C.

doi:10.1016/j.trip.2023.101000

How can airports prepare for future public health disruptions? Experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic from a systemic perspective based on expert interviews

Title

How can airports prepare for future public health disruptions? Experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic from a systemic perspective based on expert interviews

Author

Nieuwborg, A.B.D. (TU Delft Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior)
Melles, M. (TU Delft Applied Ergonomics and Design)
Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, S. (TU Delft Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior)
Santema, S.C. (TU Delft Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior)

Date

2024

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be an existential public health and economic crisis for the airport system. An interview study was conducted using Amsterdam Airport Schiphol as a use case to prepare for future public health disruptions. The study aimed to uncover key experiences and lessons learned by an airport system during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing 16 experts from airport operators, airlines, public health agencies, security services, and the government. After thematic analysis, four themes emerged. The first theme addressed the limited readiness of the airport system; the COVID-19 pandemic seemed unimaginable regardless of prior experiences with infectious diseases or weak signals. The second theme depicts an airport system running behind the facts, one that had difficulties implementing operational interventions and had to deal with extensive reorganisations. The third theme illustrated the complex relational dynamics within the airport system, such as the hesitancy of public health stakeholders towards aviation stakeholders and the government utilising a top-down approach. Finally, theme four provides lessons learned for the future whereby actively fostering a systemic approach, sensemaking capabilities, and informal relations are recommended. Current constructions like Crisis Management Teams and the Airport Operations Centre support these learnings. Further reflection and operationalisation of the study's findings are critical to proactively supporting the airport system's transition from a potential pandemic liability to a strategic asset in mitigating public health disruptions.

Subject

Air transportation
Airport strategy
Crisis management
Uncertainty

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c38086ce-2eac-4f0e-8668-f41c6b1c8920

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2023.101000

ISSN

2590-1982

Source

Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 23

Part of collection

Institutional Repository