ABSTRACT
In Chapter 5, the role of surface transport highlighted the fundamental link between tourism and transport in a number of different contexts. One of the underlying themes was how the link between transport (the industry) is linked to the tourist (the consumer) which in simple terms raises a fundamental question: how are these two elements managed so that consumer needs are met? This returns to many of the issues initially developed in Chapter 1 on the role of tourism management and who should manage such issues. This chapter addresses these issues by focusing on the aviation sector, since it has seen the greatest volume growth in passengers of all forms of transport (excluding car usage and ownership). It is focused on a complex transport system upon which the tourist experiences directly impact. This is shaped from the point they enter an airport through to the point they get off their aircraft at the destination, a process that is repeated on the return journey. In other words, the management of the tourist by the airline industry reveals an integrated transport system, which can largely be defined as:
the process whereby individual (and groups of) airlines seek to organize, direct and harness their resources, personnel and their business activities to meet the needs of their organization and customers in an effective and efficient manner. (Page 2002: 209)
This also involves the close working relationship of the airlines with airports to ensure the smooth, safe and reliable processing and transfer of tourists through the system with the minimum of disruption and inconvenience. This is crucial as the airline industry carries a large volume of passengers and the airport system has to be able to process the volume of travellers in an efficient manner so that the system continues to have the capacity to allow the flow of travellers through the system. Therefore, this chapter commences with a discussion of the role of the airport as a terminal facility that links the tourist with the supply of transport – air transport. It offers a seamless travel process from departure to arrival in principle, although sometimes service interruptions and unavoidable delays may cause problems in the airline transport system. This is followed with a discussion of air travel, emphasizing its growth and significance as a mode of tourist transport, how it is
regulated, the role of airlines’ operations and the significance of recent developments in the airline market, including the rise of low-cost airlines and future prospects for global air travel.
