(THE) IMPACT OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE ECONOMY OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: : (A) CASE STUDY OF LUNGI/FREETOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(FNA)

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Airport infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic development of nations, serving as a catalyst for trade, tourism, employment, and regional connectivity. In developing countries, where economic growth is often hindered by poor transportation systems and inadequate infrastructure, investments in airport development are increasingly seen as a strategic tool to enhance competitiveness and stimulate broader economic transformation. Sierra Leone as other developing countries depends hugely on Lungi/Freetown International Airport as the only international gate way that links the rest of the global economy. The main focus of this research is to examine the impact of airport infrastructure on the economy of developing countries, with a specific focus on Lungi/Freetown International Airport. The study employed a quantitative research design, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed electronically via Google forms to a sample size of 235, airport users selected through purposive sampling. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26, also employed a descriptive statistic and inferential analyses including Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), ANOVA, a correlation analysis and multiple regression modelling on each variable. To assess the significances of relationship between airport infrastructure on Operational Efficiency, quality, Tourism growth, national economic development, accessibility and overall perceived economic growth of airport users. The regression analyses revealed a strong empirical evidence for three of the four hypotheses. Where in airport infrastructure proved to be a significant predictor of operational efficiency explaining by73% of the variance in perception efficiency. Correspondingly revealed a positive contribution to national development and overall economic growth. Equally the study also revealed that aviation infrastructure plays a significant role in tourism growth in Sierra Leone by 43% of its variance. However, the hypothesis that operational and infrastructural challenges negatively affect economic development was rejected. Despite challenges significantly predicted negative growth the direction of the relation was moderate rather than negative, indicating a more complex interaction between perceived challenges and perceived economic transformation. The findings revealed the significant role of aviation infrastructure as a catalyst that foster tourism growth and economic transformation in developing countries especially Sierra Leone. The result underscore the need for sustained investment in airport facilities and operations to enhance efficiency, support national economic objectives, and strengthen Sierra Leone position within regional and global aviation networks. The study also identifies the need for refined measurement of operational challenges to more accurately assess their relationship with economic outcomes.

Keywords: Airport infrastructure, economic growth, developing countries, trade, tourism, Freetown International Airport, multiple regression, Exploratory Factor Analysis.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 2
• 1.0 Introduction 2
• 1.1 Background to the Study 3
• 1.2 Statement of the Problem 10
• 1.3 General Aim of the Study 12
• 1.3.1 Specific Objectives 12
• 1.4 Research Questions 13
• 1.6 Significance of the Study 13
• 1.7 Scope and delimitation of the study 15
• 1.8 Definition of Key Terms 16
• 1.9 Organization of the Study 17
• CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 19
• 2.1 Conceptual Understanding of Airport Management 19
• 2.2 Airport Infrastructure 24
• 2.3 The relationship between improvements in airport infrastructure and economic growth 27
• 2.3.1 Airport Economic Benefits income and Employment Generation 36
• 2.4 Airport Infrastructure Stimulates Tourism Growth 38
• 2.4.1 Potential of Tourism as a Sustainable Economic Development Strategy in Sierra Leone 44
• 2.4.2 Airports Infrastructures contribute to national and international trading activities 46
• 2.5 Challenges and limitations hindering the effective contribution of Airport Infrastructure to economic development 49
• 2.5.1 Poor connectivity as a challenge and limitation hindering the effective contribution of Airport management to economic development 54
• 2.5.2 Inadequate cargo infrastructure 56
• 2.5.3 Weak regulatory frameworks 58
• 2.6 Theoretical framework 60
• 2.6.1 Growth theory 62
• 2.7 Empirical Review 65
• 2.8 Research Gap 72
• 2.9 Research Hypothesis 73
• CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 78
• 3.1 Research Design 78
• 3.2 Study Area 79
• 3.3 Target Population 79
• 3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 80
• 3.5 Research Instrument 80
• 3.6 Data Collection Procedure 80
• 3.7 Reliability and Validity Procedures 81
• 3.8 Data Analysis Methods 81
• 3.9 Ethical Considerations 82
• CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 82
• 4.1 Demographic Characteristics 82
• 4.5 Reliability on all the Research Questions 85
• 4.6 Factor Analysis on all the Research Questions 85
• 4.7 Factor Analysis on the five Variables 87
• 4.7.1 Reliability test on the five variables 88
• 4.8.1 Validity tests on the five Variables 90
• 4.9 Regression Analysis on the Research Hypotheses. 91
• 4.9.1 Regression on H1: The quality of airport infrastructure has a positive effect on passengers’ overall perception of airport efficiency. 92
• 4.9.2 Regression on H2: Improvements in airport infrastructure positively contribute to national economic growth. 94
• CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 99
• CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION 104
• 6.1 Summary of the Study 104
• 6.2 Policy Recommendations 107
• 6.3 Contribution to Knowledge 108
• 6.4 Suggestions for Further Research 109
• 6.6 Final Remark 109
• References 110
• APPENDIX 121