How do Australian-based tourism stakeholders perceive the readiness of the aviation industry to handle increasing numbers of baby boomers flying

This paper investigates the perceptions of various tourism industries’ stakeholders regarding the readiness of the airlines to handle growing numbers of baby boomer air travellers; within an Australian context. A qualitative research methodology was applied, extracting data from 32 in-depth interviews. The views of the stakeholders in regard to the readiness of the civil aviation industry to handle the increasing numbers of baby boomers flying were complex, varied and fragmented; and were compared to existing literature. It provides a categorisation of issues on which further quantitative or stakeholder research could be based in which airlines may improve their competitive advantage by developing dynamic capabilities to meet the demands of baby boomers.

The research was conducted with the approval of Southern Cross University HREC.