Impact of Flight Delays by South Korean Low-Cost Carriers on Pilots’ Safe Flight Operations

Following the strong rebound of domestic air traffic in Korea, low-cost carriers (LCCs) now operate high-frequency short-haul networks. This study investigates whether flight delays increase pilot workload and whether workload contributes to human error. Survey data from 181 LCC pilots were analyzed using SPSS, including correlation, regression, and mediation analyses. Results show that delays significantly increase workload and human error, with workload partially mediating the relationship between delays and human error. The findings indicate that delays pose a structural safety risk by heightening fatigue and time pressure. Practical and policy implications emphasize incorporating workload and fatigue considerations into delay management to maintain safety in high-frequency operations.