To What Extent is the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) Engineering Management Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly?

Abstract

Climate change is now a global concern, particularly concerning its adverse impacts. The aviation sector is one of the key contributors to climate change as it emits a lot of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. As a result, there is an increasing call for the industry to embrace sustainable practices. Many airports are already executing green practices in their operations to boost their sustainability. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the sustainability of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), which is one of the most vibrant airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It specifically examines the extent to which KAIA is sustainable. The research is based on a quantitative research method, which involved the use of questionnaires to collect data from 20 participants who were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The 20 respondents included workers of the airport where the research took place, employees in aviation sector as well as a number of managers working at KAIA’s airport. Data was collected through an online survey. The study adhered to all research methods and ethical requirements to generate accurate and relevant findings. Data analysis software, including Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS-Excel, were used for data analysis and interpretation to offer useful meaning in relation to the study objectives. The findings of this study established that KAIA’s engineering management practices have significantly adopted sustainability practices through framework proficiency, innovation advancement, and cost-effective flying fuel. The research also empirically verified that KAIA is involved in activities that are sufficient to be referred to as an environmentally sustainable airport. It was also established that KAIA needs significant improvement in fostering sustainable air terminals, transitioning to practical flight fills, driving towards zero CO2 emission, and designing sustainable airport