Unlawful Interference and Airport Economics: A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Employee Awareness at Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abstract

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves as a critical global aviation hub, facilitating economic growth in the UAE through tourism, trade, and connectivity. However, its strategic importance also makes it vulnerable to acts of unlawful interference such as attacks on passengers, infrastructure sabotage, and misinformation which pose immediate safety risks and long-term economic consequences.  Guided by Routine Activity Theory (RAT), this study propose a conceptual framework that examines how employee awareness of unlawful interference impacts airport economic performance. The finding of this study revealed that four key areas: flight delays/cancellations, tourism disruptions, stock and investment volatility, and maintenance/repair costs are at the top of the employees awareness factors that influence airport economic performance. Additionally, the study investigates the moderating effect of managerial security procedures on enhancing employee awareness to counteract these threats. The research proposes a conceptual framework that synthesizes existing knowledge on unlawful interference dimensions, regulatory frameworks (e.g., ICAO, IATA, GCAA), and economic impacts, while hypotheses are developed to test the relationships between awareness, managerial procedures, and economic resilience. The findings aim to provide actionable insights for strengthening airport security protocols, optimizing resource allocation, and safeguarding Abu Dhabi’s aviation-dependent economy. By bridging theoretical and practical perspectives, this research contributes to the discourse on aviation security and offers strategies to bolster AUH’s resilience against evolving threats.