Planning decision coherence in aviation organizations: an empirical assessment of Lithuanian airports

Abstract

This article examines the coherence of planning decisions within aviation-sector organizations, with a particular focus on the alignment of strategic, tactical, and operational planning levels. The study analyses the structure of planning decision systems and the interactions among different planning tiers, emphasizing key criteria and approaches used to evaluate decision coherence. Special attention is given to the application of the Balanced Scorecard framework and to methods for assessing vertical and horizontal linkages across planning processes. The empirical analysis draws on performance indicators from Lithuanian airports – Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga – for the period 2020–2024. These data are used to evaluate the consistency between planning decisions and strategic objectives. The article identifies major strengths and weaknesses in the alignment of planning decisions and outlines directions for improving coherence across planning levels. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of planning decision alignment in the aviation sector and offer insights relevant to enhancing strategic management practices in aviation organizations. The empirical application of the model reveals a moderate level of planning coherence across Lithuanian airports, highlighting both structural strengths and areas requiring improvement.