Impact of Pilot Fatigue on Decision – Making in Nigerian Short-Haul Operation: Aviation Safety, Human Factors, and Flight Operations

Pilot fatigue is a well-established human factor hazard in aviation, known to impair cognitive performance, judgment, and decision-making, thereby increasing operational safety risk. While extensive research exists in developed aviation systems, empirical evidence on fatigue within Nigerian domestic short-haul operations remains limited. This study investigates the prevalence of pilot fatigue and its potential impact on decision-making in Nigerian short-haul flight operations, with reference to international fatigue management standards. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire incorporating the validated Samn–Perelli Fatigue Scale. Data were collected from 86 active short-haul pilots operating across multiple Nigerian domestic airlines. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted to examine fatigue levels and their association with operational variables such as number of sectors flown, weekly duty hours, and operational disruptions. Results indicate a mean Samn–Perelli fatigue score of 4.05, suggesting that pilots frequently conclude duty periods in a state of moderate, performance-relevant fatigue. The number of sectors flown per duty day showed a positive relationship with fatigue levels, while total career flying hours and age demonstrated weak associations. These findings suggest that daily operational workload, rather than cumulative experience, is the primary driver of fatigue in Nigerian short-haul operations. When compared with ICAO fatigue management guidance, the observed fatigue levels indicate routine exposure to conditions that may degrade decision-making performance. The study concludes that pilot fatigue is prevalent and operationally significant within Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector. It underscores the need for strengthened Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS), improved roster design, and enhanced regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The findings contribute localized empirical evidence to the global fatigue literature and provide a foundation for evidence-based fatigue mitigation strategies in developing aviation contexts (ICAO, 2020; Caldwell et al., 2009; Powell et al., 2007).