We hear voices: Airline, airport and tourism stakeholders on the role of governance and leadership in air route development

Abstract

Air route development (ARD) has received little attention in both the academic and professional literature. Developing a new route is a complex process, and it involves many key stakeholders. Besides airlines and airports, this process engages government agencies and other stakeholders, especially tourism. This research aims to provide both theoretical and practical contributions concerning the role and effects of stakeholder engagement in ARD and main leadership and governance attributes. The conducted online survey is targeting ARD airports, airlines, DMOs and consulting companies’ experts from all over the world. The survey, completed by 100 respondents, included the questions related to the contribution of leadership and governance attributes for the success of ARD; leading stakeholder; challenges during the ARD, and identification of successful ARD case studies. Results indicate airports as leading stakeholders in developing air routes. ‘Partnership’ and ‘strategic vision’ are identified as the most important leadership and governance attributes, respectively.