Effect of Aircraft Factors on the Performance of Selected Airlines in Kenya

Authors

  • Jackson Mwangi Irungu
    Department of Business and Economics, Moi University
  • Dr. Tonny Lukose
    Department of Business and Economics, Moi University
  • Dr. Peter Odunga
    Department of Business and Economics, Moi University

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of aircraft-related factors on the performance of selected airlines in Kenya. The research was guided by the Economies of Density Theory and the Transaction Cost Theory, which explains how operational efficiency and cost structures influence airline performance.


Methodology: The target population comprised 355 top management employees, pilots, and engineers drawn from five major airlines in Kenya, Kenya Airways, Safari Link, African Express Airways, AirKenya Express, and Mombasa Air Safari. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 186 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires designed to capture the study variables. The reliability of the research instrument was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, while SPSS Version 25 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies, percentages, and standard deviations were computed. Inferential analysis using multiple linear regression was employed to determine the influence of aircraft factors on airline performance.


Findings: The regression analysis revealed that load factors (β = 0.354, p = 0.000) and operational factors (β = 0.262, p = 0.009) had statistically significant positive effects on airline performance, with the model explaining 67.1% of the variation in performance (R² = 0.671). These findings demonstrate that aircraft-related variables are critical determinants of airline operational success in Kenya.


Conclusion: The study concludes that efficient management of aircraft-related factors, particularly load and operational factors, significantly enhances airline performance. Strategic aircraft scheduling, fuel-efficient fleet management, and optimization of load factors are key to improving competitiveness and profitability in the aviation sector.


Value: This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on aviation management in emerging markets. It provides actionable insights for airline executives and policymakers, recommending the adoption of real-time aircraft scheduling systems, fuel-efficient technologies, and aviation-specific policy frameworks to promote cost-effective and sustainable operations in Kenya’s airline industry.