The Role of Innovation in Achieving a Competitive Advantage of Airlines

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the role of innovation in achieving competitive advantage among private airlines in Egypt. Data was collected from four private airlines. To gather data; two versions of the surveys were distributed. The first was for airlines' executives and consultants, and the second was for passengers. While 34 valid surveys were collected from the airlines' executives, a total of 310 valid surveys were collected from passengers. The results showed there is a statistically significant relationship between the elements of innovation and competitive advantage in airlines. The study provides the Egyptian government with recommendations on paying more attention to developing the innovation system and embedding its culture in society. Secondly, recommendations directed at top management in airlines include: matching on-board services to today’s passengers' interests and adopting features such as online food ordering and pre-ordering meals. Additionally, to adopt technological innovation such as AI-based improvements and the AI-enabled food waste management system. This presents a number of critical that should be implemented in companies. include: the issue of creativity and innovation; developing the innovation system and embedding its culture in society by providing educational opportunities for tourism and hospitality based on innovation foundations; providing opportunities for tourism and hotel students to collaborate with private sector institutions and airlines to present new ideas in providing meals, services, and innovations that contribute to positive travel experience; building innovations in the tourism and aviation sectors by providing specialized programs and organizations to support students' innovations and to benefit from funding opportunities for innovative tourism projects that contribute to the opening of new doors The necessity of cooperation between the Egyptian government, airlines, and food and beverage service providers to foster innovations that would help deliver distinctive travel experiences; Launch the "Creative Traveller" initiative, embracing their innovations to develop the application, and rewarding creative travellers with incentives and rewards for their value-added services. Provide a platform for discussing and presenting the most significant innovations in the tourism sector and airlines to develop services that aid in streamlining travel procedures and gaining access to global tourism markets; and finally, adopt a strategic vision to encourage entrepreneurship and draw creative ideas to the tourism sector and attract innovative projects in the tourism, hospitality and airline sector.