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Flight safety & fatigue: Prof. Dr. Harald Kolrep publishes new review article on fatigue in aviation
February 26, 2026
How does fatigue affect safety in the cockpit, in air traffic control towers, or in aircraft maintenance?
At the Media University campuses in Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt, experts teach who combine theory and practice in business psychology. A current highlight: Prof. Dr. Harald Kolrep, together with Maximilian Peukert and Michaela Schwarz, has published a comprehensive analysis on the risks posed by fatigue in aviation in the journal Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors.
Fatigue impairs safety across all operational areas of aviation. However, research shows that the concept is not uniformly understood. The key findings of the authors:
– Eight professional groups in focus: To address the specific characteristics of different operational roles, eight distinct professional groups were analyzed separately and their specific antecedents of fatigue were identified.
– Variable antecedents: The factors contributing to fatigue are numerous and vary considerably depending on the occupational field.
– Research gaps & methodology: The review highlights that while some professional groups have been extensively studied, others remain largely neglected. Moreover, most studies rely on subjective assessment methods, which may lead to critical measurement biases.
Research at the heart of metropolitan regions: Whether at the Berlin campus (close to tech hubs and BER Airport), in Frankfurt (Europe’s most important aviation hub), or in the media city of Cologne – this research directly informs teaching within the degree programs in Psychology and Management.
FAQ on the Study
Why is this research relevant for aviation?
It identifies specific antecedents of fatigue for eight different professional groups.
Who are the authors?
Prof. Dr. Harald Kolrep is a professor at the Media University and contributes his expertise to educating the next generation of business psychologists. Dr. Maximilian Peukert is a human factors researcher in Swedish air traffic services. Dr. Michaela Schwarz is an aviation psychologist and former President of the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP).
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