Conceptualizing of Sustainability in The Civil Aviation Sector in Dubai

Abstract

The civil aviation sector in Dubai has become a world leader because of its constant advancements and implementation of new technologies. It has been fostering the economic development of Dubai by enhancing transportation, establishing trade links, promoting tourism, and providing job opportunities. Even though it is a thriving sector, it should pay heed to its sustainability strategy. This dissertation aims to investigate sustainability indicators within the civil aviation sector in Dubai as per the sector's key stakeholders and to identify the perceived ranking of sustainability indicators within each stakeholder group. The research is based on a qualitative research design and AHP framework. The type of qualitative design considered for the current study was phenomenology, and focus groups were conducted with 148 people as a part of the qualitative research design. After determining the indicators and sub-indicators, the AHP framework was shown to rank the indicators based on the priorities of the stakeholders, who were experts and knew about the aviation sector's sustainability. The study's findings focus on the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental sustainability indicators. Economic sustainability had the highest priority ranking of the three leading sustainability indicators. Based on the analysis, it is found that the three top priorities of social sustainability are regional competition, passenger safety, and quality of life of stakeholders like employees and passengers. Three leading indicators for economic sustainability are extensive data management, economic growth, and economic development. Lastly, environmental awareness, air quality, and waste reduction are the three top priority indicators of environmental sustainability.