The Impact of Communication Transparency on Passengers’ Trust in Airports: The Mediating Role of Business Ethics

Abdulmalek H. A. Hazbar; Mohammed Abulrahman Al Nadhary; Oqbah Abbas Abdulwasea Ahmed; Waheeb Abdulaziz Al-Selwi; Hadil Najib Ahmed Abduljalil

doi:10.55074/hesj.vi57.2000

Authors

Abdulmalek H. A. Hazbar Associate Professor of Tourism Planning, Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Taiz University
Mohammed Abulrahman Al Nadhary Associate Professor of Business Administration, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Taiz University.
Oqbah Abbas Abdulwasea Ahmed Master's Degree Scholar Researcher in Management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Taiz University.
Waheeb Abdulaziz Al-Selwi Master's Degree Scholar Researcher in Management Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Taiz University
Hadil Najib Ahmed Abduljalil Master's Degree Scholar Researcher in Business Administration, College of Administration and Economics, Xidian University, China.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55074/hesj.vi57.2000

Keywords:

Communication transparency, disclosure, clarity, accuracy, business ethics, passengers’ trust, airport communication, Yemen

Abstract

This study examines the impact of communication transparency on passengers’ trust in Yemeni airports and business ethics’ role. Communication transparency comprises disclosure, clarity, and accuracy; business ethics comprises honesty and responsibility. An explanatory cross-sectional survey collected data February 11–August 10, 2025. Of 202 returned questionnaires, 200 were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), using a robust estimator for ordinal indicators, assessed the measurement model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (CIs), tested direct and indirect effects. Communication transparency was positively and significantly related to passengers’ trust and business ethics. Business ethics positively influenced trust. The indirect effect of transparency on trust through business ethics was statistically significant, indicating complementary partial mediation. Disclosure, clarity, and accuracy positively affected business ethics. Clarity had a minimal direct effect on passengers’ trust; disclosure and accuracy had no direct effects. However, three dimensions had indirect effects, with accuracy showing the strongest. Transparent airport communication builds trust by reducing uncertainty and expressing honesty and responsibility. The study contributes to communication transparency, business ethics, and airport management literature by identifying ethical credibility as a pivotal link between transparency and trust in Yemen’s fragile institutional environment. Findings should be interpreted within Yemeni airports.