An assessment of the factors influencing airport security at Namibian airports: A case study of Hosea Kutako International Airport, 2018-2023
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Date
2024
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Airports are regarded as unique entities that have insightful economic, social, and
environmental effects on a local, regional, and even international level. Therefore,
because of its crucial impact, the subject of airport security has taken the centre of
discussions of numerous studies. A Security audit conducted in Namibia by the
International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2018 revealed that some aspects of airport
security at Namibian airports needed improvements. The audit suggested that Namibia
needed to improve in various security aspects such as, the screening of passengers,
screening of baggage and cargo, certifying of screeners, and employing of internal
quality control measures to ensure quality assurance. Against this background, the
purpose of this study was to examine the key factors that influence the effective and
efficient execution of airport security at Hosea Kutako International Airport. The main
security factors that were assessed are Human Resources, Regulations and
Supervision, Machinery and Equipment, and Stakeholders. This was done by
analysing opinions of airport security practitioners including managers on the security
factors by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method. A questionnaire was used
to obtain data from selected respondents. The study population comprised of aviation
security practitioners at Hosea Kutako International Airport from the Namibia Airports
Company, Namibian Police, and the contracted security service provider the Namibia
Protection Services. The study employed a case study design, and the collected data
were analysed using Microsoft Excel software and interpretations were made from the
results of analysis. The findings of the study show that the main factor of Human
Resource is rated the most important factor, followed by the Machinery and
Equipment, Regulations and Supervision, and Stakeholders respectively. Other sub factors and criteria were used in determining the level of importance of the main
factors of airport security. The study formulated a model of airport security systems
which, in conjunction with the decision model can assist in addressing operational and
administrative security challenges. This model can be used by airports authorities to
effectively deploy its limited resources by directing it to the security factors that are
considered of great importance than other factors in enhancing airport security system.
Furthermore, it may also be used to address the gap that may exist within the airport
security systems. The study concluded that human resource is one of the important
factors in airport security and therefore, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of
airport security it is recommended that qualified and well-trained personnel be
employed
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in security and strategic Studies
Keywords
Aviation Security, Security Audit, Airside, Landside, Annexes