European Airline Pilots Report Widespread Fatigue, Falling Asleep in Cockpit

A survey of nearly 7,200 European airline pilots indicates that three-quarters have fallen asleep in the cockpit, according to research published by the European Cockpit Association (ECA). The study also revealed that many pilots report a lack of rest and feel pressured to extend their working hours.

The findings suggest that pilots may be hesitant to report fatigue due to a fear of punishment, which the ECA stated could pose significant safety risks. Of the pilots surveyed, 24% admitted to continuing work rather than reporting themselves unfit due to fatigue, and 16.8% indicated they call in sick instead.

Microsleeps, described by the US-based National Sleep Foundation as involuntary periods of sleep lasting several seconds, were reported by three-quarters of the surveyed pilots. Factors contributing to this fatigue include irregular shift patterns, jet lag, and insufficient overall sleep, all of which can disrupt the body clock.

These conditions can impair judgment, slow reaction times, reduce alertness, and affect a pilot's response to unexpected situations during a flight. The ECA survey, conducted in August, found that incidents of pilots falling asleep occurred within the four weeks prior to the survey.

Pilots working for airlines based in Ireland and Malta reported the highest number of microsleeps. More than 30% of all surveyed pilots stated they do not get enough sleep to prevent fatigue. However, only one in three pilots admitted to reporting themselves as too exhausted to fly when fatigued. Furthermore, 50% reported flying while experiencing fatigue in the three months preceding the survey.

Nearly half of the surveyed pilots expressed fear of penalization for reporting fatigue, with only 11.9% trusting their airline's fatigue reporting system. Among budget airlines, only 15.6% of captains and first officers believed their companies effectively managed fatigue risks.

Licensed pilots are legally obligated to report fatigue to their airline and are not permitted to fly when feeling excessively tired. Ian Holder, managing director of aviation safety consultancy Baines Simmons, commented to The Guardian that the survey highlights how European pilots experience fatigue risk management in practice, noting persistent differences in how airlines and aviation bodies handle these issues.

The ECA launched a pilot fatigue campaign in June, citing issues such as cost-cutting, precarious contracts, and instability exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which have led to chronic understaffing, unrealistic scheduling, and inadequate buffers within the aviation industry. The association stated that commercial pressures often lead crews to go the 'extra mile' at the expense of alertness and decision-making, thereby creating a safety risk.