Effect of elderly passenger distribution on A320 aircraft evacuation under dual-engine fire scenarios

With the growing number of elderly air travelers, ensuring their safety during emergency evacuation has become an important concern. This study examines how the proportion and spatial distribution of elderly passengers influence evacuation outcomes in an Airbus A320 under a dual-engine fire scenario. A total of 27 simulation scenarios were created by combining three cabin layouts, three elderly to nonelderly ratios, and three spatial distribution patterns. A full-scale cabin model was developed using Rhino 3D and simulated in Pathfinder to reflect realistic movement behaviors. The results show that none of the scenarios met the 90-s evacuation requirement, with the fastest case requiring 141 s. Higher elderly ratios and poor seating arrangements led to longer evacuation times and uneven exit usage. These findings emphasize the need for age-sensitive modeling and seating strategies to improve evacuation safety. The study provides practical insights for aircraft design, emergency planning, and promoting safer travel for elderly passengers.