Navigating the Skies: Challenges and Opportunities of Non-Routine Interna-tional Flight Schedules to Filipino Flight Attendants

Angelica Rose S. Gonzales; Jerry S. Cristobal

doi:10.11594/assrj.01.03.15

Authors

Angelica Rose S. Gonzales President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Jerry S. Cristobal President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Iba, Zambales, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11594/assrj.01.03.15

Keywords:

Non-routine schedules, challenges, opportunities, significant differ-ence, adaptability, resilience

Abstract

This study focused in determining the challenges and opportunities the Filipino female flight attendants are experiencing due to non-routine international flight schedules of an international airline company. Using a survey questionnaire tested for reliability by computing the Cronbach’s alpha, survey items were grounded on theories which include Job Demands–Resources (JD‑R) Theory, Herzberg’s Two‑Factor Theory of Motivation, and Circadian Rhythm Theory. With 100 flight attendants as respondents, the goal is to determine how work conditions affect motivation, behavior and performance among the respondents working in the aviation industry. The summary of the demographic profiles revealed that a Filipino female flight attendant is 35.82 years old, married, and has been serving the airline company for 11.85 years, typically with an average flight hours per month of 81.90 and earning a monthly salary of Php145,999.50. In terms of challenges of non-routine flight schedules, the respondents rated “Agree” that they have to deal with irregular flight hours, frequent non-scheduled flights, shift rotation patterns, extended flight duration, fatigue, and sleep disruption. Despite these challenges, the respondents generally “Agree” that non-routine flight schedules offer opportunities which include additional flight experience and route exposure, overtime or extra income, professional growth and skill development, enhanced networking and exposure to diverse destinations, and increased adaptability and resilience. Statistical results show that in terms of the challenges of non-routine flight schedules, no significant difference on the responses was observed between the working variables and the demographic profiles except between number of years in service and shift rotation patterns. For the opportunities, no significant difference on the responses was observed between all working variables and the demographic profiles. These results will benefit the flight attendants, airline administrators, aviation policymakers, passengers, and researchers seeking to enhance workforce well-being and productivity in the global aviation industry.

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