Digital Stress Among Civil Aviation Personnel Under High-Intensity Digitalization

Safety, 2026

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DOI 10.3390/safety12050118
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

This study examines the impact of digital stress on the cognitive functioning of civil aviation personnel in the context of increasing digitalization and its implications for flight safety. Civil aviation employees operate in highly information-intensive environments that require continuous interaction with automated systems, rapid data processing, digital interface management, and time-sensitive decision-making, all of which may contribute to digital stress. Using a comprehensive assessment framework, the study explores the relationship between digital stress, cognitive workload, and human-factor risks in aviation operations. The findings indicate that digital stress may impair concentration, information-processing speed, memory, analytical thinking, and decision-making quality, thereby increasing the likelihood of human error. These effects are particularly critical for personnel involved in airport navigation and other safety-sensitive functions, where cognitive lapses can adversely affect operational safety. The study highlights the importance of timely identification and quantitative assessment of digital stress to support aviation safety management. In addition, it proposes the implementation of a digital wallet for storing, updating, and verifying personnel medical data to facilitate reliable health monitoring and early detection of psychophysiological risks associated with digital stress and cognitive load. The proposed approach may contribute to improved human-factor management and enhanced flight safety.