Home / Masters and Courses / Master in Human Factors in Aviation Operations

Modality

E-learning

Duration

600h.

Sessions

Live

Virtual Campus

Open 24/7

Student

accompaniment

MHFAO

Master in Human Factors in Aviation Operations

The MHFAO is a 600 h master programme that provides advanced, multidisciplinary training in the psychological, physiological, organizational, and operational elements that influence human performance in aviation.

The Master

Program Description

The Master in Human Factors in Aviation Operations MHFAO integrates theory with applied practice, preparing students to enhance safety, efficiency, and decision making across airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, and aerospace organizations.
Human factors is one of the most critical domains in modern aviation, shaping safety culture, operational resilience, and the design of systems and procedures. This master’s degree equips future leaders with the analytical and managerial capabilities required to understand human behavior in complex, high risk environments.

Skills

By completing the MHFAO program, students will:

Understand the foundations of human performance, cognition, and behavior in aviation environments.
Analyze human error using contemporary models and propose mitigation strategies.
Evaluate and improve safety management systems (SMS) with a human‑centered approach.
Apply Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles to multi‑crew and multi‑stakeholder operations.
Assess human–machine interaction, automation challenges, and cockpit/ATC interface design.
Develop training programs that enhance situational awareness, communication, and decision‑making.
Promote organizational safety culture and implement human‑centered policies.
Conduct research and data analysis related to human factors and operational safety.

Employability

The Master in Human Factors in Aviation Operations (MHFAO) responds to one of the most critical priorities in today’s aviation sector: improving human performance, operational safety, decision-making, and resilience in increasingly complex aviation environments. Airlines, airports, ANSPs, aerospace organizations, regulators, and aviation consultancies require professionals capable of understanding human behaviour, reducing operational risk, strengthening safety culture, and integrating human factors into training, procedures, automation, and organizational policies.

Graduates are prepared for roles such as:

Airlines

Human Factors Specialist
Safety Manager / Safety Analyst
CRM Instructor
Training & Standards Officer
Fatigue Risk Management Specialist

Airports

Safety & Compliance Officer
Operations Supervisor with HF specialization
Emergency Response & Crisis Management roles

Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)

Human Performance Expert
Safety Investigation Officer
Training Designer for ATC personnel

Aerospace & Industry

Human–Machine Interface (HMI) Analyst
Ergonomics Consultant
R&D roles in cockpit or system design

Regulatory & International Organizations

Safety Inspector
Human Factors Advisor
Policy and Standards Development roles

Consulting & Research

Aviation safety consultant
Researcher in human performance and safety
Analyst in accident investigation teams

Why MHFAO graduates stand out

Graduates of the MHFAO program are uniquely positioned to take on specialist and leadership roles in the advancement of safer and more human-centred aviation operations. With a balanced profile combining human performance knowledge, safety analysis, CRM, human–machine interaction, organizational culture, training design, research methods, and air navigation human factors, students are prepared to design, implement, and lead initiatives that improve safety performance, support operational excellence, and create measurable value for aviation organizations worldwide.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

University graduates or non-graduates professionals of the aeronautical and airport sector.
Required English level: at least B2.

Professionals in airport and aeronautical management

Teachers

Advisory Board

Honorary President of ITAérea

Javier Gándara

General Manager of easyJet for Southern Europe

Fernando Echegaray

Chief International Officer at Groupe ADP (Extraordinary Conference)

María José Cuenda

Commercial and Real Estate General Director at AENA

Ana Salazar

Director of the Sustainability Division at AENA

Luís José Cañón

Director of Innovation and Passenger Experience at AENA

Marta Abardía

Director of Commercial Services at AENA

Ignacio Biosca

Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Aeronautical Market at AENA

Thibaud Morand

General Manager Europe South Pacific at LATAM Airlines

Richard Clark

CEO, Air Europa

Antonio Gimeno

General Manager of Air Europa Express

Advisory Board

Honorary President of ITAérea

Javier Gándara

General Manager of easyJet for Southern Europe

Fernando Echegaray

Chief International Officer at Groupe ADP (Extraordinary Conference)

María José Cuenda

Commercial and Real Estate General Director at AENA

Ana Salazar

Director of the Sustainability Division at AENA

Luís José Cañón

Director of Innovation and Passenger Experience at AENA

Marta Abardía

Director of Commercial Services at AENA

Ignacio Biosca

Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Aeronautical Market at AENA

Thibaud Morand

General Manager Europe South Pacific at LATAM Airlines

Richard Clark

CEO, Air Europa

Antonio Gimeno

General Manager of Air Europa Express

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