Airport level of service perceptions before and after September 11: a neural network analysis

• Main Authors: ELSHAFEY, M, ROWLANDS, D, CONTESTABILE, E, ABD EL HALIM, A. O
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air transportation and traffic; Airport security; Airports; Applied sciences; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Infrastructure; Level (quantity); Network analysis; Neural networks; Passenger satisfaction; Passengers; Perceptions; Public facilities (municipal, law court, etc.); Security; Types of buildings
• ISSN: 1746-4498; 1743-3509
• DOI: 10.2495/SAFE070331

Physical infrastructure is constructed to provide services to it users. The perceptions of users regarding the level of service are not necessarily constant, however, making it necessary to adapt both the infrastructure and its attending services to adjust to new user demands. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 had just such a disruptive effect on the perception of service levels at airports. This paper uses neural network analysis to examine passenger survey data before and after the September 11th attacks to identify shifts in level of service perceptions at Ottawa Airport. The analysis suggests a significant change occurred in the components that comprised passenger satisfaction levels, even though the overall level of satisfaction was largely unaffected. The results have clear implications for airport authorities in terms of maintaining or improving service provision in the presence of continuing security concerns.