A new report has raised concerns about pilot fatigue. A European pilots' association conducted a survey of 7,200 pilots. It found that exhaustion was widespread and underreported. More than three-quarters of respondents said they had dozed off while being in control of an airplane. Almost a quarter of them said they had flown even when they were too tired. Tiredness can result from long working hours, not having enough rest, and changing schedules.
The pilots were honest in their answers. Many said they didn't report fatigue because they were worried about being punished. A pilots' spokesperson said: "When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit." Safety experts say fatigue can slow judgement and reaction times. The experts said pilots should be able to report fatigue without worrying. Airlines should prioritise passenger safety.
Try the same news story at these levels:
Pilot Fatigue - Level 5 or Pilot Fatigue - Level 6
Sources- https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/experiences/news/european-pilots-are-accidentally-falling-asleep-in-the-cockpit
- https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/28/more-than-half-of-pilots-say-they-flew-while-tired-as-trust-in-reporting-systems-remains-l
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/26/quarter-europe-airline-pilots-fly-too-fatigued-to-work-survey
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