Aviation Safety Standards, Monitoring And Evaluation Process And Performance Of Air Transport In Kenya: A Case Of Airports In Nairobi County

Abstract

The purpose of conducting this study was to determine the influence of aviation safety standards on performance of air transport in Kenya and the extent to which this influence is moderated by monitoring and evaluation process. The objectives of the study were to establish how: compliance with aviation training standards, compliance with aircraft airworthiness certification process standards, compliance with resolution of safety concern standards, compliance with airport infrastructure standards influences performance of air transport in Kenya. Further, the combined influence of compliance with aviation safety standards on performance of air transport in Kenya was determined and lastly, the extent to which the relationship between compliance with aviation safety standards and performance of air transport is moderated by monitoring and evaluation process was established. Descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational research design within a pragmatic paradigm to support a mixed method approach on a sample size of 224 respondents selected using Research Advisor Table from a target population of 269. The respondents comprised of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority staff there after referred to as regulators and air operators. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview guide, and observation guide and document analysis. Responses in the questionnaires were analyzed by use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 Program. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation whereas inferential statistics were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation analysis(r) and multivariate regression analysis was used to test the relationship between variables. F-test was used to test the hypotheses. Tests of statistical assumptions were carried out before analysis. Results for objective one indicate r = 0.401, R2 =0.160, F(3.163)=10.034 at P = 0.001 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that aviation training standards significantly influence performance of air transport. For objective two r = 0.316, R2 =0.100, F(5.349)= 6.288 at P = 0.000 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that aircraft airworthiness certification process standards, significantly influence performance of air transport. For objective three r = 0.354, R2 =0.126, F(6.929)= 7.963 at P = 0.000 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that resolution of safety concern standards, significantly influence performance of air transport. For objective four r = 0.276, R2 =0.076, F(4.007)= 4.918 at P = 0.004 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that, aircraft infrastructure standards significantly influence performance of air transport. For objective five r = 0.776, R2 =0.587, F(8.044)= 9.203 at P = 0.000 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that, combined aviation safety standards significantly influence performance of air transport. For objective seven r = 0.427, R2 =0.182, F(10.854)= 11.870 at P = 0.000 ˂0.05, therefore, H0 was rejected and concluded that the strength of the relationship between aviation safety standards and performance of air transport significantly depend on monitoring and evaluation process. The study findings therefore indicate that performance of air transport depends heavily on aviation safety standards. Therefore issues revolving around compliance with aviation safety standards need to be given urgent attention. It is recommended that competency based training for aviation personnel, continuous monitoring and evaluation, provision of expansion space and construction of additional aircraft runway in all airports need to be prioritized as a strategy to improve performance in air transport. Further research can be conducted on human factor and compliance with aviation safety standards.