Issue 35

Do global critical events impact organizational sustainability attitudes of organizations? The case of the airline industry

By Bastiaan Zoeteman, Oscar van Reisen and Bram Kaashoek

Although globalization increases dynamism of the aviation market, the high level of interconnectivity may also have drawbacks. A major disruption can spread rapidly through the interconnected global system. Examples are terrorist attacks and SARS. This study has investigated the impact of these disruptions on the development of sustainability attitudes of globally operating airlines. The analysis showed no negative effects on the airlines’ attitudes. Global market requirements and consumer expectations obviously prevailed over short term cost limitation.

The Energy Dilemma: European Air Transport Growth Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

By Francois Metrot

Far away from these environmental considerations, Air Transport has always thought itself as a “disembodied” activity. Nowadays, the Air Transport Network has to adapt its economical strategies in order to fit within the framework of sustainable development. Our intention in this paper is not to be prescriptive, but to describe, at different levels of analysis, organisational, operational and institutional levies that are put in place within the Air Transport network in order to enhance its energy efficiency.

The Liability System of the Air Carrier for Damage Caused by Aircraft to Third Parties

By Professor Kang Bin Lee

Acts of unlawful interference in air transport usually end up with wider damages than accidents and, with regard to consequence, they are more unpredictable; hence, they must be treated differently. Professor Kang Bin Lee argues that the structure proposed in the draft Convention of ICAO is generally acceptable; however, the limit of liability should be higher than the amount determined by the Montreal Convention.

The Development of Civil Aviation in Slovakia

By Jan Breja

As the EU has significantly extended to the East in recent years, new entrants get the opportunity to play an increasing important role in European Aviation. Slovakia was among the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004. Jan Breja, Director of Air Transport Policy and Legislation Unit, Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic shares with us his vision of air transport policy issues that his country is facing.

Bumpy road towards expansion: Ninoy Aquino International

By Daan de Jong

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is at the heart of one of Southeast Asia’s most densely populated metropolitan areas. It is the international gateway to this island archipelago and the center of the booming Philippine aviation industry. Though the airport appears to be fully consumed by the immense, frantic urban sprawl that lurks outside its gates, Ninoy Aquino Intl appears ambitious to consolidate its role as center of Philippine civil aviation.

Developing Strategies for the Modern International Airport by Alan Williams

A book review by Hans Mohrmann

The contribution is multidisciplinary, with chapters reviewing a range of issues facing international airports. It examines the process of global economic integration from economic, geopolitical and geographic perspectives. Its ambition is to identify structural changes in international business and what the implications are for the airport industry. “The book identifies some of the matters and issues that could form the agenda for further and more detailed examination”, says the author about his book.

Managing Maintenance Error – A Practical Guide by James Reason & Alan Hobbs

A book review by Stephan Peters

Nowadays, maintenance is recognized as one of the most important issues in the aerospace industry. Yet it has often been treated as a side activity in the past. The reason for this may be the overall lack of automation opportunities. Maintenance simply depends on human hands and minds. Therefore, (human) errors are and remain a major cause of maintenance failures. This book provides a guide to manage the risk of these maintenance errors.