The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Traffic Controllers’ Performance: Addressing Skill Fade Concerns in Preparation for the Return to Normal Operations

ABSTRACT

This research aims to provide insight regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ATCO (Air Traffic Control Officer) skill performance and to identify the effectiveness of methods for reducing skill fade, as perceived by controllers. A questionnaire was administered to fifty-six air traffic controllers from three airports within a European state and an independent sample t-test was then performed on the data output. 78% of controllers agreed to some degree that their skill levels may have reduced since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant difference was recorded in the response scores for controllers at a large airport and controllers at smaller airports for six pandemic-related attitude statements. Simulation sessions, checklists and face-to-face briefings recorded the highest scores among methods for addressing controller skill fade. ATCO responses suggest that controllers operating at large international airports perceive higher levels of skill decay and may be more susceptible to the effects of skill fade after prolonged exposure to low traffic levels. Skills associated with the implementation of declarative knowledge are most susceptible to decay, particularly if these skills are performed in isolation and without ‘integration complexity’. Controller skill fade is a significant concern after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the aviation industry begins to recover, ANSPs must assess the influence of sustained low traffic levels on ATCO performance at a unit level and implement tools which most suitably addresses the effects of skill decay. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.