The Role of Religious and Cultural Dynamics in the Implementation of Security Measures in the Selected International Airports in the UAE: An Empirical Case Study.
Authors:   , Al Ameri Saeed 
Published: April 2024

This study addresses a gap in the literature concerning the role of cultural and religious dynamics in the application of security procedures in the international airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study establishes a reference for further research into the analysis of passenger attitudes towards the experience of using international airports by utilising an empirical research design and a theoretical perspective, the theory of ‘liminality’, to explore passengers’ experience in the international airports in the UAE. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it makes an original contribution to the gradually emerging empirical body of research into airport security and passenger experience in the UAE international airports. The inquiry explores the extent to which airport security measures and legislation recognise religious and cultural sensitivities of the passengers; investigate the impact of religious and cultural dynamics in shaping passengers’ attitudes towards the security measures implemented at the selected international airports and finally, explores the views of the airport security managers and officers concerning the role of religio-cultural factors in the security policy at selected international airports in the UAE. The study utilises a mixed-methods case study research design consisting of a survey (self-completion questionnaire), semi-structured interviews and analysis of some of the relevant policy documents. The study sample consists of two international airports in the UAE i.e. Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports. The large survey was completed by the two hundred participants and constructed to elicit the attitudes, perception and experience of the passengers using the selected international airports in the UAE. Semi-structured interviews, completed by a selected group managers and officers, explored the views and overall perception of airport managers and staff responsible for the management and oversight of the airport security. The results reveal broad patterns of responses from the study participants on various issues related to their experience of using the selected international airports. The main findings indicate that passengers, overall, were satisfied with use of the international airports and agreed that the application of the security procedures were conducted objectively and the staff appeared to be respectful of personal privacy and religious and cultural sensitivities of the passengers. However, the study also reports that going through the security systems proved to be the most stressful part of passenger experience at the airports. A central finding the study underscores that the use of the full body scanners creating most dissatisfied experiences amongst the passengers. The results further indicate that the security staff’s awareness of intercultural sensitives and passengers’ religious and central values were felt to be highly significant. The study emphasises the need to be aware that legal and security related policies at the international airports should also reflect a deeper ethical values of human engagement unfolding within the context of airports. Based on the empirical findings, the study offers overall conclusions and makes policy and further research related recommendations.