Understanding public health and safety risks resulting from pilot fatigue in the airline industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34140/bjbv7n4-078Palavras-chave:
pilot fatigue, airline industry, aviation safety, job satisfaction, workplace culture, human factors, burnout, occupational health, risk management, workplace environmentsResumo
This study offers a novel and critically important contribution to business research in the airline industry by positioning pilot fatigue not merely as a physiological or safety issue, but as a systemic operational, organizational culture, and job satisfaction challenge that directly impacts organizational performance and strategic management. Drawing on extensive empirical evidence that fatigue is implicated in approximately 15–20% of transportation accidents and linked to roughly 21% of aviation incidents, the research underscores that pilot fatigue constitutes a profound risk to both flight safety and the commercial viability of airlines. Chronic fatigue degrades decision-making and psychomotor performance, which, in turn, heightens the likelihood of costly errors, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. These outcomes directly affect profitability, insurance costs, and shareholder value, making fatigue management a core business concern rather than a peripheral human resources issue. By integrating insights from human factors specialists, pilots, mental health professionals, and public health experts, the study advances a multidimensional understanding of how irregular schedules, high cognitive workload, and circadian disruption accelerate the onset of burnout and chronic health conditions. This interdisciplinary perspective is novel within aviation business research, which has traditionally emphasized compliance with duty-hour regulations over holistic health and organizational culture. The two-round qualitative methodology generates evidence-based, actionable strategies that bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and genuine risk mitigation. The resulting recommendations equip airline management with a scientifically credible roadmap for policy innovation, operational restructuring, and health-centered fatigue management. In doing so, it provides a critical foundation for sustainable competitive advantage, safeguarding both the economic integrity of airlines and the trust of the global traveling public.
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