An international research team has suggested that evenly distributing older passengers throughout aircraft cabins could enhance safety during emergency evacuations. The recommendation emerges amid an increasing average age of the global population, which presents new challenges to current aviation safety protocols.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that commercial aircraft must be capable of a full evacuation within 90 seconds in an emergency. However, researchers indicate that the growing number of elderly airline passengers could complicate efforts to meet this standard.

The study, conducted by an international team, simulated 27 distinct evacuation scenarios on an Airbus A320, a widely used narrow-body aircraft. These simulations focused on a dual-engine fire scenario to assess evacuation dynamics.

Findings from the research showed that the number and placement of elderly passengers were the most significant factors influencing evacuation times. In the most efficient simulated scenario, which involved 152 passengers — including 30 elderly individuals evenly distributed throughout the cabin, alongside two rows of first-class seating at the front — the complete evacuation still required 141 seconds. This timeframe substantially surpassed the FAA's 90-second requirement.

Previous research has noted that cognitive decline in older adults can affect situational awareness and slow decision-making processes. Furthermore, reduced physical dexterity can be compounded during high-stress situations, potentially impeding swift movement during an evacuation.

Dr. Chenyang Zhang, a co-author of the study, stated that the team hopes their findings will enable airlines to proactively identify and mitigate risks related to passenger distribution during emergency events.