Examination of airport emergency preparedness as an optional crisis management element: A study on emergency response teams

Aviation has been developing rapidly since its emergence in 1903. Development started with pain. In this process, since traveling by air was a new experience for people, technological developments in aviation were not safe and comfortable. The 2000s coincide with the period when aviation started to progress rapidly and it continues to develop much faster today. The increasing demand for aviation has led to a significant increase in the number of flights. With the aforementioned increase, although not at the same rate, accidents occur at airports and despite all the steps taken to prevent accidents, loss of life and property could not be completely avoided. For this reason, it is important to intervene in accidents correctly in order to minimize the loss of life and property today. In addition to scientific studies to reduce losses, practical solutions continue to be developed in the field. In this thesis, it has been tried to develop the right perspectives and awareness in order to enable the right interventions to the accidents that occur at the airports. In order to achieve this aim, it has been tried to reveal the ongoing deficiencies in the process by examining the drill practices, which are the preparation process for the accident response of the teams who work at the airports and are responsible for responding to the accident. Solution suggestions are presented in order to eliminate the problems and deficiencies. In order to understand the factors affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the drill practices, it was tried to reveal the perspectives of the practitioners on the practice process by interviewing them personally. As the data collection tool, semi-structured individual interview, which is the most used in qualitative research, was preferred. The fact that the preparation process for aircraft accidents has not been investigated as in the thesis and the mission it has acquired in itself is the main source of motivation. According to the research findings, it was concluded from the opinions and discourses of the participants that the factors affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the exercises included in the airport emergency plans are education, legislation, cultural factors and technology. The results of the thesis are supported by the studies published in the international literature and the activity reports of the civil aviation legislator The necessity of giving the exercises embedded in the airport emergency plans as a separate training is one of the important outputs of the research. It is hoped that the thesis outputs will contribute to the literature and sectorial practices in terms of the determination of the deficiencies in the sector and the solution proposals for the subsequent improvement processes in order to be able to prepare for and intervene in the accidents. In addition, it is thought that the findings of the research will guide future studies on airport accidents and the authority involved in the preparation of national emergency plans. Keywords: Crisis Management, Airport, Emergency Plan, Exercise.