A Bibliographical Analysis of Pragmatic Strategies Responding to the Pandemic Crisis in Aviation

Abstract

The aviation industry has suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020. Airlines, airports, and manufacturers reacted to fight against the disease to protect passengers as well as remain sustainable. The purpose of this study is to analyze existing archives and discover strategic plans implemented by essential actors of the commercial aviation system. Using inductive qualitative analysis in conjunction with VOSviewer bibliographical data visualization, this study unveils the practical strategies of resilience enacted by the airline industry, manufacturers, and commercial airports during the pandemic time. Based on the Crisis Response Matrix from Suk and Kim, airlines' survival strategies during COVID-19 include passenger protection, operational retrenchment, innovation, and long-term managerial plans. Manufacturers' main approaches are expanding business with maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) on top of alternative fuel innovations for emission reduction. Remarkably, airports adopt policies and protocols to screen and protect passengers, share information about infected passengers, and create a contactless airport environment for the prevention and control of pandemic infectious diseases. Synthesis tables containing discoveries are provided for practitioners' future reference. © 2023, University Aviation Association. All rights reserved.