How Commercial Airlines can Mitigate Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Induced Job Insecurity on Their Pilots' Flying Performance

Abstract

Job insecurity (JI) can negatively impact work performance. This effect poses particular challenges for safety-critical systems such as commercial airlines, as they rely on a high level of pilots’ flying performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate how COVID-19 pandemic induced JI affects pilots’ flying performance. 2084 pilots participated in an online survey. The results showed that JI can negatively impact pilots’ flying performance. However, the magnitude of this relation depended on the conscientiousness and rank of the pilots. The findings therefore underline the importance of conscientious work behavior - also and particularly in periods of increased job insecurity - and provide airlines with a field of action to mitigate risks resulting from decreased pilots’ flying performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Job Concerns, Pilot Performance, Risk Mitigation

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002641