A report commissioned by the European Cockpit Association (ECA) and conducted by Baines Simmons, an aviation safety management consultancy, has revealed potential risks associated with fatigue in the European aviation system. Based on a survey of almost 6,900 pilots from 31 countries, the report was published on August 28, 2023. During the survey period, which took place between July 1 and July 22, 2023, pilots were asked questions about fatigue and fatigue-related safety factors. The ECA was pleased to have received a higher number of responses than expected. According to the ECA, the report indicates that fatigue was becoming an issue in cockpits ahead of the summer peak season. Three out of four pilots surveyed had experienced at least one microsleep while flying within the past four weeks. One-quarter of respondents reported experiencing five or more microsleeps during their active duties. Despite many pilots reporting insufficient rest periods, almost one in five pilots used "Commander's Discretion" to extend their flight duties twice or more within the past four weeks.
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Worryingly, over 60% of pilots surveyed were concerned about the potential negative consequences of refusing to extend their flight duty times. Otjan de Bruijn, the President of ECA, described the report as "concerning," highlighting the fact that the survey was conducted at the beginning of the summer peak season, meaning that fatigue levels in August were likely to have increased. The report also reveals a structural problem within the European aviation system, with airlines not effectively dealing with fatigue-related safety risks. According to de Bruijn, the report's data highlights "challenges and inadequacies in the fatigue risk management arrangements of operators across all countries represented and gaps in the oversight provided by regulators." The report shows that 53.2% of pilots surveyed felt that fatigue risk was either "mostly not well managed" or "not well managed" within their airline. The countries with the highest proportions of crew reporting poor fatigue risk management were the UK (72.0%), Malta (66.5%), Spain (63.1%), and Ireland (61.7%).
The report also indicates that only 10.8% of pilots said that fatigue reports had led their airline to make operational changes to improve safety. Meanwhile, just 13.2% reported that their employers communicated well with the crew about fatigue reports. Additionally, only 12% of pilots said they trust their airline's reporting system. Philip von Schöppenthau, the Secretary General of ECA, called on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and national authorities across Europe to review the report carefully and take necessary action to ensure that airlines provide effective fatigue reporting systems and manage their fatigue-related safety risks properly. A report commissioned by the European Cockpit Association (ECA) and conducted by Baines Simmons, an aviation safety management consultancy, has revealed potential risks associated with fatigue in the European aviation system. Based on a survey of almost 6,900 pilots from 31 countries, the report was published on August 28, 2023. During the survey period, which took place between July 1 and July 22, 2023, pilots were asked questions about fatigue and fatigue-related safety factors. The ECA was pleased to have received a higher number of responses than expected. According to the ECA, the report indicates that fatigue was becoming an issue in cockpits ahead of the summer peak season. Three out of four pilots surveyed had experienced at least one microsleep while flying within the past four weeks. One-quarter of respondents reported experiencing five or more microsleeps during their active duties. Despite many pilots reporting insufficient rest periods, almost one in five pilots used "Commander's Discretion" to extend their flight duties twice or more within the past four weeks.
Worryingly, over 60% of pilots surveyed were concerned about the potential negative consequences of refusing to extend their flight duty times. Otjan de Bruijn, the President of ECA, described the report as "concerning," highlighting the fact that the survey was conducted at the beginning of the summer peak season, meaning that fatigue levels in August were likely to have increased. The report also reveals a structural problem within the European aviation system, with airlines not effectively dealing with fatigue-related safety risks. According to de Bruijn, the report's data highlights "challenges and inadequacies in the fatigue risk management arrangements of operators across all countries represented and gaps in the oversight provided by regulators." The report shows that 53.2% of pilots surveyed felt that fatigue risk was either "mostly not well managed" or "not well managed" within their airline. The countries with the highest proportions of crew reporting poor fatigue risk management were the UK (72.0%), Malta (66.5%), Spain (63.1%), and Ireland (61.7%). The report also indicates that only 10.8% of pilots said that fatigue reports had led their airline to make operational changes to improve safety. Meanwhile, just 13.2% reported that their employers communicated well with the crew about fatigue reports. Additionally, only 12% of pilots said they trust their airline's reporting system. Philip von Schöppenthau, the Secretary General of ECA, called on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and national authorities across Europe to review the report carefully and take necessary action to ensure that airlines provide effective fatigue reporting systems and manage their fatigue-related safety risks properly.