Risk Assessment of Passenger Behaviour During the Taxiing Process

Abstract

In the aviation industry, flight safety is always a top priority and holds great significance not only during takeoff, landing, or flight but also during maneuvering on the ground. The mobility or unsafe actions of the passengers during this maneuver should be restricted in accordance with regulations, as they are critical in ensuring in-flight safety and reducing operational risks to acceptable levels. Even with these clear and frequently repeated rules, some of the passengers can still be seen moving around the cabin during taxiing, opening overhead bins, and trying to remove their belongings. All of these, especially during sudden braking or turns, may cause passengers to be injured. This study aims to conduct a qualitative risk assessment on the possible risks associated with the mobility of the passengers during the aircraft maneuver on the ground. A total of 75 participants from the cockpit, cabin crew, and passengers took part in an online qualitative risk assessment, and the assessments were interpreted using the risk matrix defined by ICAO. Results have shown that, though all of the participants managed to assess the similar likelihood of risks, their perceived magnitude of impact varied depending on the group of participants and their level of experience.