Integrating FMEA and HFACS to assess the risk to airport operations

Abstract

Airports are complex systems exposed to various operational risks that can disrupt services and compromise safety. Despite extensive research on risk management across industries, there is a lack of comprehensive methodologies tailored to airport operations. We present a comprehensive risk assessment framework that integrates human factor analysis with quantitative evaluation to predict and mitigate failures in critical airport systems. The model integrates the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify risk modes. To address uncertainty in expert assessments, Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers (IVIFN) and Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Weighted Averaging (IIFWA) are employed. The Best-Worst Method (BWM) determines the weights of the risk factors, while the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) facilitates the comparative evaluation of risk scenarios. A case study on airport power system failures serves to validate the model, effectively identifying and prioritizing critical risks. This integrated model delivers a more accurate and reliable foundation for airport risk assessment, supporting informed decision-making and improved operational safety and efficiency.