Pilots and cabin crew at European airlines feel increasingly under pressure to work long hours and hide signs of tiredness at the expense of safety, according to a major study. The results showed a deterioration since a 2014 study, also by Ghent University, which found 82% of pilots said they felt able to modify instructions. About 30% of pilots said they were sometimes reluctant to take safety decisions out of fear of possible negative consequences for their professional career. “A concerning trend is the increasing use of ‘management by fear,’ where wellbeing is not explicitly linked to safety outcomes,” the authors claim. “Labour conditions are no longer just a social issue – they have an impact on safety, wellbeing and fatigue that are all interrelated.

Source: The Guardian October 03, 2025 06:04 UTC