Application of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) for the Prevention and Analysis of Runway Incursion Phenomena

Runway Incursions constitute a persistent global safety concern, with an average of one occurrence every day worldwide. The continuous growth of air travel demands innovative and systemic approaches to address these increasing risks. This thesis adopts the Safety-II perspective, a modern safety concept that focuses not only on failures and accidents, but also on everyday successful performance and on how people and system adapt their actions to changing environment. Through the application of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), the Lima Runway Incursion is analysed to explore differences between Work-As-Imagined and Work-As-Done, highlighting the aggregated variability between the functions. Finally, with the collaboration of SEA, Società Esercizi Aeroportuali S.p.A., the thesis examines how an international airport such as Milan Malpensa implement preventive strategies proposed in the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI). The results underline how a resilient, systemic approach is fundamental to Aviation Safety.