Evaluation of Technical and Administrative System for Safety Development at Khartoum International Airport

Abstract

The present study aimed at identifying and assessing the technical and administrative aspects of safety in Khartoum International Airport. It investigates the shortcomings, weaknesses and adoption of appropriate means for improving the performance. It proposes a model for effective and modern Safety Management System for the Airport. The research adopted the descriptive – analytical approach; in addition to the empirical approach, for the purpose of analysis. The data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources included a questionnaire involving a random sample of 150 members of the Civil Aviation Authority staff and staff of different companies working at Khartoum International Airport. The secondary sources of data were books, references, annual reports of the Civil Aviation Authority, accidents reports and relevant studies on topics concerning safety issues. The analytic tools used were the (Chi-square) test for measuring the significance and the coefficient of correlation for measuring relationship. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis and evaluation of the accidents data. The main findings of the study are that, the current administrative conditions affect the working environment. The available communication means and control are not conducive for enhancing safety and there is a weak administrative body. Also, climatic conditions and infrastructure at Khartoum V International Airport are among the causes of aviation accidents; beside the fact that the role of Civil Aviation Authority towards aviation service companies was limited and weak. The study proposed a model for Safety Management System, which addressed the objectives of the research, covered the negative aspects and shortcomings of the current situation and specified modern techniques in the field of safety, according to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Origination (ICAO), national regulations and the best practices in the aviation field, concerning safety aspects. The study recommended further studies for safety development.