A critical exploration of airline travellers' purchase behaviours during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of airline customers in Victoria Island, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines airline travellers' purchasing behaviors during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on January 30, 2020, with the peak period in Nigeria identified as occurring from February 2020 to April 2021. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study outlines the methodologies and procedures utilized, grounded in an interpretative epistemological stance and a subjective ontological framework. A comprehensive analysis of key variables influencing travellers' purchasing behaviors, particularly within Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, is crucial. This analysis can guide marketers in developing targeted strategies to attract and retain airline travellers in the post-pandemic period. Specifically, the research aims to elucidate the purchasing behaviors of airline travellers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing distinct objectives such as evaluating the pandemic's impact on purchasing decisions, understanding travellers' trust levels regarding airline purchases, identifying purchasing constraints faced by travellers, and formulating strategic recommendations for managing similar future crises.