Developing a Crisis Management Training Model for Reducing Air Traffic Control Challenges in Iran

Setareh  Sepehri; Baharak Shirzad Kebria; Saeid  Saffariyan Hamedani; Fereshteh  Kordestani

doi:10.61838/krjqn054

Authors

Setareh Sepehri PhD student, Department of Educational Management, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3130-1642
Baharak Shirzad Kebria Department of Educational Management and Higher Education, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6472-7848
Saeid Saffariyan Hamedani Department of Educational Management, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3819-0316
Fereshteh Kordestani Department of Educational Management and Higher Education, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6190-5175

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/krjqn054

Keywords:

Air Traffic Control, Crisis Management, Crisis Management Training, Aviation Safety, Operational Preparedness

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and validate a crisis management training model designed to reduce the challenges affecting air traffic control operations.

Methods and Materials: This applied study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design consisting of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, an emergent grounded theory approach was used. Nineteen experts in air traffic control, crisis management, and educational management were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. In the quantitative phase, a descriptive-survey design was adopted. The statistical population comprised 430 air traffic control personnel working at Mehrabad Airport Control Tower, Tehran Approach Control, and the Area Control Center. Using Cochran’s formula and stratified random sampling, 203 participants were selected. Qualitative data were analyzed in MAXQDA, while quantitative data were examined through structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire whose face, content, and construct validity and internal consistency reliability were confirmed.

Findings: The qualitative analysis generated a model comprising five dimensions, 19 components, and 93 indicators. Structural equation modeling supported the proposed measurement and structural model and confirmed the significant contribution of the five principal dimensions to crisis management training. These dimensions were operational preparedness and capability; crisis management and rapid response; leadership, structure, and resources; knowledge and continuous learning; and emerging technologies. The model demonstrated that simulation-based training, safety management, navigational resilience, cybersecurity, communication, climatic preparedness, risk prioritization, command structure, occupational health, human resources, legal and strategic frameworks, training sustainability, meteorological information, and intelligent data analysis were significant components of an integrated crisis management training system.

Conclusion: The validated model provides a comprehensive and operational framework for strengthening crisis preparedness, improving rapid-response capacity, and reducing air traffic control challenges in Iran.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdallah, F., Elhoss, W., & Chahine, J. (2025). The importance of crisis management in the aviation industry: A case study on Kuwait. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(4), 2459-2470. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i4.6584

Adibi Saadi-Nejad, F., & Seif, M. (2023). The necessity of urban smartening in crisis management and providing appropriate solutions for Tehran traffic. Scientific Journal of New Research Approaches in Management and Accounting, 7(27), 1477-1496.

Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., & Wu, Y. (2024). Recent progress in air traffic flow management: A review. Journal of Air Transport Management, 116(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2024.102573

Cook, D., Mayer, R., & Doy, G. (2024). Crises and the resilience of the aviation industry: A literature review of crises and airline responses. Transportation Research Procedia, 75(3), 33-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2023.12.005

Ding, J., Duan, Z., & Li, J. (2025). Modeling and multi-operator solution of flight loop scheduling considering stopovers and delays. In Advanced Intelligent Computing Technology and Applications (Vol. 158, pp. 411). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-9901-8_34

Gupta, V., & Bethapudi, A. (2026). AI in crisis management: Reskilling and upskilling for the aviation industry. In R. El Khoury (Ed.), Empowering Business Through Technology: Innovations Shaping Our Future (Vol. 620). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02056-7_72

Hosseinian, S., Ahmadi Dizaj, I., Hosseini, T., & Hendiani, A. (2023). Prioritization of the dimensions and components of the traffic crisis management model in natural disasters. Safe City Journal, 6(3), 57-81.

Jarašūnienė, A., & Gelžinis, M. (2025). Risk and crisis management strategies in the logistics sector: Theoretical approaches and practical models. Future Transportation, 5(2), 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5020074

Jazayeri, A. (2023). Educational guide: Intervention in crises related to substance abuse.

Moradi, M., Ahmadvand, A.-M., & Samadi Foroushani, M. (2024). System dynamics analysis of air accident crisis management to develop accident prevention policies based on improving flight safety. Disaster Prevention and Management Knowledge, 14(3), 274-291.

Pérez Moreno, F., Gómez Comendador, V. F., Delgado-Aguilera Jurado, R., Zamarreño Suárez, M., Antulov-Fantulin, B., & Arnaldo Valdés, R. M. (2024). How has the concept of air traffic complexity evolved? Review and analysis of the state of the art of air traffic complexity. Applied Sciences, 14, 3604. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093604

Safari, M., Jahedi, A., & Ghavanloo, S. (2025). Crisis management. First National Conference on New Research in Management and Entrepreneurship, Aliabad.

Saremi, S., Esmaeili, R., & Taghipour, F. (2023). Designing a media model for air accident crisis management. Quarterly Journal of Transportation Engineering, 15(2), 3573-3600.

Selvakumar, R., & Babu, V. (2023). Crisis management and social media platforms: A review and future research agenda. In Social Capital in the Age of Online Networking: Genesis, Manifestations, and Implications. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-8953-6.ch017

Taylor, F. (2026). Crisis management for airports and airlines. A Spin-Off of the University of Kiel, 27(7), 1619-2400.

Zamarreño Suárez, M., Arnaldo Valdés, R. M., Moreno, F. P., Delgado-Aguilera Jurado, R., López de Frutos, P. M., & Comendador, V. F. G. (2024). Understanding the research on air traffic controller workload and its implications for safety: A science mapping-based analysis. Safety Science, 176, 106545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106545

Zhao, T., Macias, J. E., Zhang, M., Fu, S., Feng, Y., Elhajj, M., Majumdar, A., Angeloudis, P., & Ochieng, W. Y. (2024). Enhancing air traffic operational efficiency by reducing network scale. Aerospace Traffic and Safety, 1(1), 10-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aets.2024.06.001