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The influence of airline service quality on passenger satisfaction and loyalty
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The case of Uganda airline industry
Juliet Namukasa
Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
Purpose – The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of airline service quality on passenger satisfaction and loyalty. To achieve this, the research was guided by four specific objectives to which data collection was effected mainly by interview method using fully structured questionnaires. Design/methodology/approach – The study used random sampling technique and it covered 303
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Uganda’s official national carrier Uganda Airlines was liquidated in May 2001 after 24 years of operations. Attempts were made by the Ugandan Government to privatize the company, however, all interested parties which included British Airways and South
African Airways pulled out leading to the carrier’s demise (Centre for Aviation, 2012).
Problem statement
Excellent passenger satisfaction is one of the greatest assets for air businesses in today’s competitive environment, the on board experience is still something special for the customer, if the passenger is not satisfied with the quality of service, they will reconsider the buying decision for further flights and will probably switch to another airline (Archana and Subha, 2012). The research related to service quality and customer satisfaction in the airline industry has been growing in interest because the delivery of high service quality is essential for airlines’ survival and competitiveness
(Archana and Subha, 2012). A number of studies examining the effect of airline service quality on passenger satisfaction have been carried out in other countries, for example,
Archana and Subha (2012) carried out such study in India, Huang (2009) in Taiwan,
Munusamy et al. (2011) Malaysia, Ahadmotlaghi and Pawar (2012) India and Mohsan et al. (2011) in Pakistan and none of such study has been carried out in Uganda’s airline industry which is a great
The article was reported in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine in the December 2012/January 2013 issue. Christopher writes about two separate airlines and the potential of what could make or break a person. He used different points to breakdown what airline companies are doing to the economy. He published the article to make people become more conscious thinkers and look at the entire package/company when it comes the cost of booking with an airline. Let’s look at how the customer service, expenses and hospitality play a factor when choosing an airline. The Good versus the Evil in the air.
The airline industry has long attempted to segment the air travel market in order to effectively target its constituents. The classic airline model consists of First Class, Business Class and Economy, and the demographics that make up the classes have both similarities and differences to the other classes. For instance there may be similarities between business class travellers on a particular flight, but they will not all be travelling for the same reason. An almost-universal characteristic of air travel is that customers do not fly for the sake of flying; the destination is the important element and the travel is a by-product, a means-to-an-end that involves the necessity of an aircraft that gets the customer from point A to point B.
Services : Customers want to have a polite and good customer service provided for them. Some elderly and disable people may need the delivery service.
People judge the airline company whether is good or not mostly depends on their reputation.
September 11, 2001, was a horrific event that rocked the world and the way people viewed the safety of airline travel. The airline industry was hit the hardest after that day and it was uncertain if they could regain their customer’s
Scheduling of customer service personnel to assist with checking in and boarding passengers including unaccompanied minors.
Quality customer service is indispensable for any company in the transportation industry; proving to be a leading factor, along with price and product, as to why customers will stay or stray (Wadhams, 2014). A few strategies used by leading industries to obtain higher satisfaction service levels include: practicing anticipatory services, adapting to changes within the industry in a timely manner, invite interaction, exercise discretion, stress safety, develop relationships on a name basis, and show transparency. With consistency, each of these procedures can lead to an outstanding customer service base and provide the framework for a strong, committed, and long-lasting organization displaying customer appreciation and rewarded with customer loyalty (10 Customer Service Tips from the Transportation Industry,
This case analyses Prof. McPherson’s service experience with respect to two Airline carriers, which was not expected in this age of Network and Information Technology and also the service level expectations from the customers. First we analyze the setting/situation, issues Prof. McPherson experienced and his assumptions; and then try to address them. The bottom line: addressing such situations would improve efficiency, customer loyalty, brand name and increased profits
of price versus service in the airline industry as a whole, as well as, the
Customer satisfaction and service quality are the two important components that direct anyone’s attention in every concept related to marketing, services, etc. (Spreng and Mackoy, 2006). In today’s competitive era, the success lies in
result of this, no other airline in the industry’s history has enjoyed the customer loyalty and
Within the category of services, it applies to different types of customers such as family, solo travellers and business travellers, the key focus of this report is on the upper-class service for business travellers and how it influences business travellers to purchase a flight package from them instead of using their competitors Jet airways, British Airways or Emirates. We can discover the decision-making process and how it operates but it’s important to understand the marketing strategy behind the company that makes it very successful and attracts more business travellers to fly with them.
Enterprise used the survey to capture data about customer’s satisfaction. Management objectives are to keep current customers satisfied, improve customer service and increase car rental in the remaining 20% in the discretionary market. Research objectives to determine the level of satisfaction: Customer’s rental car experience, the rental process, vehicle preferences, customer awareness and rental history. With the data provided the company will be able to determine if a satisfied customer will be a repeat customer and refer others to the company.
with the service seems to be insufficient for customers to remain loyal. Creating customer loyalty is
Service quality represents a fundamental aspect of delivery, which strongly influences consumer satisfaction and, as a result, loyalty. In today’s global market a customer’s service expectation has to be met and exceeded eventually in order to retain customers as well as achieve success. Perceived quality of a product or a service is becoming one of the major competitive factors in the business world and has led to the innovation of the ‘Quality Era’ (Peeler, 1996). In simple words, the comparison of customer expectations with service performance is service quality. On the other hand, customer satisfaction is defined as a pleasurable fulfilment response toward a good, service, benefit, or reward (Oliver, 1997). Both of these