Does Deterioration of Aerodromes’ Economic Situation Influence the Level of Safety in Civil Aviation? What Can Be Done to Prevent It in Line with a Sustainable Transport Systems Approach?

Abstract

Aviation has been one of the key engines of the globalization process and, at the same, time one of the industries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the parallel economic crisis. As safety seems to be the key issue at aerodromes, the aim of this article is to analyze what kind of safety hazards have the coronavirus slowdown created and which of them pose the greatest risk for aerodrome safety in the long run. What is more, the goal of the paper is to direct managers’ attention to proper crisis management in line with sustainability. The main findings are that all classified hazards cause, according to an expert’s assessment, similar safety risk at aerodromes, though limited workforce training and development are perceived as posing the greatest risk. The recommended solution to minimize the occurrence of the hazard is proactive risk management, which means that managers try to anticipate possible hazards in advance and act accordingly, which requires continual controlling combined with internal and external environment analysis and a consistent learning process. That should be accompanied by constant staff development. All these seem to effectively minimize most risks and make ground for a sustainable and safe transport system.