Success beyond the end result

Evaluating utility of the airport project

Abstract

Study assessed the perception of airlines about success of Islamabad International Airport (ISB) that was a long-conceived project of Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan. Primary data for this exploratory case study was collected from airline station managers through semi-structured interviews by posing questions about user requirements and satisfaction to discover previously unexplored issues. After the analysis of interview transcriptions, five common themes were extracted i.e., airport capacity, airport facilities, technical effectiveness, airport location and cultural aspects under which the novelty of current study and its practical implications can be noticed. Study findings signify that the project planners need to give equal importance to the utility of the end result and not just the end result itself. Analysis will also help aviation authorities, airport developers and academia to understand and cater the needs of airlines that are specific to this airport and to future international airport projects in the region.