Background: The air cargo logistics industry has been deemed reluctant to adopt new technologies for their business operations. So, this study aims to examine the adoption of technological innovations in the air cargo logistics industry in South Africa. The specific objective is to emphasise the effects of technologies on air cargo logistics operations to address the reluctance to adopt technological innovations in the industry. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted randomly on three hundred and seventy-three (373) cargo agents at the OR Tambo International Airport. The data were subjected to a nonparametric test with Kruskal–Wallis, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis to explore the effects of technologies for prompt adoption and implementation of emerging innovations that enhance quality service delivery. Results: The study found that promptly adopting emerging technological innovations in the air cargo logistics industry promotes efficient operations, improves warehousing, and enhances cargo delivery services for customer satisfaction. Also, the study established that technologically driven operations and warehousing are significant determinants of quality service delivery in the air cargo logistics industry. Conclusions: This study encourages the prompt adoption and implementation of technological innovations for improved quality service delivery, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in the air cargo logistics industry.

The maritime industry is significant to the growth and development of nations. The relationship between shipping trade and economic growth in Nigeria is acknowledged in the literature. Still, the need to emphasise the role of shipping import and export volume and exchange rate volatility in Nigeria’s economic growth remains. The economic growth and development level that a maritime nation will derive from its ocean depends on its import and export volumes in the face of exchange rate volatility. Using the Vector Error Correction Model, this study analyses the effect of shipping trade on economic growth in Nigeria from 1970 to 2020. The study examines the effect of seaport imports, exports, and real exchange rates on GDP to determine if Nigeria’s economic growth is sustainable, that is if the current pattern of shipping imports and exports for economic growth will not hamper future economic development. The cointegration test established a short- and long-term causality from import, export and exchange rates to GDP. The result showed that Nigeria’s economic growth is import-dependent and that, in the long run, import and exchange rates significantly affect GDP. The study further indicates that the present export volume does not significantly contribute to GDP growth. The results imply that building an economic system on an import-dominated trade system is not sustainable for future development. The study recommended strategic initiatives to maintain the economic growth rate while promoting export through local production.

The increase in technology and other parameters for security does not guarantee the expected secured airports without the appropriate behaviour, attitude, and customs of stakeholders. This study examines the airport security culture practices in Nigeria. The study adopted the Airports Council International (ACI 2021) survey instrument developed to assess security culture at airports. The instrument was designed as a questionnaire that presents eight dimensions of security culture with twenty-six (26) indicators using a 5-point Likert scale in order of agreement. The questionnaire was administered randomly to airport stakeholders, and a total response of 472 was recorded for data analysis. The data was subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to summarise and reduce the items to a few orthogonal ones representing Nigeria's common airport security culture practices. The study found that three (3) indicators relating to leadership roles do not significantly contribute to the factors serving as common security practices at airports in Nigeria. However, eight (8) common security practices were identified to be significant at airports in Nigeria. Strikingly, the study found that corporate security practices were not significant at Nigeria’s airports. The study highlights the need for airport managers to enhance security culture by adopting security as their corporate culture.

Fluctuations that characterise airport traffic make planning for efficient operations difficult. This study examines air cargo traffic at Murtala International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, and Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. The study focused on the trend of cargo volume, origin, and destination and forecasted the cargo volume at the airports. Air cargo data from 1991-2022 were collected from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL). Descriptive techniques using line graphs and GIS mapping were used to analyse data. Time series techniques of moving and weighted averages, exponential smoothing, and least square techniques were used to forecast the cargo volume of the airports. The study found a characteristic fluctuating pattern of cargo flow. Nigeria’s dominating export cargo types are general goods, edible items, and hair attachments. Ghana’s dominating export cargo types were pineapple, general goods, and papaya. Germany, followed by Ethiopia and Turkey, dominate the origin of import cargo, while the United Kingdom, UAE, and Turkey dominate the destination of export cargo from Nigeria. Luxembourg, Turkey, and the UK dominate the origin of import cargo, while the UK, Netherlands, UAE, and Qatar dominate the destination of export cargo in Ghana. The least-square technique predicts 3.67% and 2.3% growth of cargo traffic in Nigeria and Ghana, respectively. An increasing trend in cargo volume was predicted for both airports. Both countries need to strategise on their relationships with other countries and develop policies that will increase cargo flow by air.

Passenger traffic at airports is characterised by fluctuations resulting from the influence of several factors. The influence of each factor is different, leading to unpredictable passenger traffic patterns that make planning difficult. Previous studies used geographic, demographic, and economic variables as exploratory factors to examine air travel demand. The study explores several variables to confirm airports and airlines’ characteristics as demand factors for domestic air travel in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected by administering a questionnaire to respondents at major domestic airports in Nigeria. The variables were presented in the 5-point Likert Scale for respondents to rank in order of significance. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were employed to identify the significant factors affecting passenger traffic at domestic airports in Nigeria. EFA reduced fifteen variables to four orthogonal factors influencing passenger traffic at domestic airports. CFA validates airport and airline services, demographics, economic factors, and airport size and facilities as significant factors affecting passenger traffic at domestic airports in Nigeria. The model fit test shows CMIN/DF = 2.263; CFI = 0.940; GFI = 0.929; NFI = 0.901; and RMSEA = 0.078. The result identifies airport and airline characteristics as factors influencing passenger traffic at the domestic airport in any country. It implies that airport and airline characteristics significantly influence domestic air traffic and needs to be included in modelling. Identifying airport and airline characteristics as air travel determinants make this study unique for policy decisions to forecast domestic passenger traffic in a country.