Passenger and Operational Perceptions of Terminal Congestion, Waste Management, and Bird Strike Risk at a Capacity Constrained Hub Airport

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a cross sectional survey of passengers (N = 93) and two semi structured interviews with the Deputy Airport Manager (Operations) at JIA, conducted in December 2024, to explore the perceptions of the three pressures at JIA. Descriptive responses show a general lack of satisfaction with airport congestion, a strong positive response to infrastructure modernity, a majority believe there is a connection between waste accumulation in the area and the risk of birds striking an aircraft, and a more mixed opinion of the airport's environmental performance and comfort of the waiting areas. Staff reporting confirms that all wildlife is being patrolled reactively and that waste is being separated from the rest of the garbage but that there is no systematic work done to modify habitats or to communicate to the public the risks and potential hazards. 

 The 20-item survey instrument had good overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88), however, the survey was convenience sampled with no sampling frame and 12 of the 17 responses were not completed, and the qualitative text is based on only two interviews. No claims are made. The paper is a documented, cited report of a data scarce case at a time of current capital investment, and a replicable protocol for a more rigorous study that this case still needs.