ECA Survey Reveals 24% of European Pilots Fly While Fatigued

A European Cockpit Association (ECA) survey found that 24% of European airline pilots usually continue flying instead of declaring themselves unfit because of fatigue. The survey covered almost 7,200 captains and first officers and took place in August. The survey found that another 16.8% call in sick instead of reporting themselves unfit because of fatigue.

Three-quarters of respondents reported at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft during the previous four weeks, according to the survey. A microsleep is a short episode of involuntary sleep. The survey found the highest reported levels of microsleeps among pilots at airlines based in Ireland and Malta. More than a third of respondents reported inadequate rest to prevent fatigue accumulating over time.

The survey found that only one-third of pilots usually declare themselves unfit for duty when fatigued. Half of respondents acknowledged flying during the three months before the survey when fatigue should have prevented those pilots from working. Almost half feared adverse management consequences for declaring themselves unfit because of fatigue. Only 11.9% trusted their airline's fatigue reporting system. Pilots at airlines based in Ireland and Malta were among the most fearful of management retaliation and the least trusting of reporting systems.

The survey found that two in five pilots at Spain-based airlines usually fly when fatigued. The corresponding proportion was one-third among pilots at airlines based in Ireland and France. However, only one in 10 pilots at UK-based airlines reported usually flying when fatigued. Only 15.6% of pilots at low-cost carriers believed their airline handled fatigue risks well. The corresponding figure was 18.6% at ACMI, or wet-lease, operators. ACMI operators provide other airlines with aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.

The survey found that almost two in five pilots had used commander's discretion during the preceding month. Commander's discretion permits captains to lengthen crew working hours or shorten rest periods in exceptional circumstances. However, nearly 70% of respondents expressed concern about refusing to extend duty hours. The finding suggests that crews may face substantial pressure over a measure intended for exceptional situations. The survey found the greatest concerns among pilots at low-cost and wet-lease operators and airlines registered in Ireland and Malta.

Long duty periods, inadequate rest, irregular schedules and flights across time zones can cause fatigue by disrupting natural sleep cycles. Fatigue presents a substantial safety risk because fatigue can weaken judgment, delay reactions, lower alertness and hinder responses to unexpected events. European aviation safety rules require airlines to maintain systems for identifying, monitoring and managing crew fatigue.

Ian Holder, managing director of aviation safety consultancy Baines Simmons, said the findings showed continuing differences in how airlines and national authorities handle fatigue. Holder said the survey reflected pilots' direct experiences rather than directly measuring aviation safety outcomes. Holder said consistent findings over three years identified areas needing attention. Holder cited Finland and the Netherlands as examples showing that stronger fatigue reporting cultures were possible.

ECA president Captain Tanja Harter said airlines and regulators should accept responsibility instead of expecting pilots to manage fatigue risks alone. Harter said pilots should not have to handle those risks themselves while safely transporting passengers. Harter urged the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to tighten fatigue management rules. Harter also urged the agency to ensure airlines follow requirements for non-punitive reporting and appropriate use of commander's discretion. Harter said waiting another three years to find no improvement was unacceptable. Harter said the problems and solutions were known, the pilot community was prepared to help, and political commitment to action was needed.