Three in four European pilots report microsleeps at the controls, ECA survey finds

SAFETY WIRE | Research

More than three in four European airline pilots say they had at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft in the previous four weeks, according to a pilot fatigue survey published by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), the body representing pilots’ unions in Europe. The report, issued on 9 October 2026, says airlines’ management of fatigue has shown almost no improvement since ECA’s last survey in 2023.

What is confirmed

• Survey: “A fatigue survey of European Pilots – 2026”, commissioned by ECA and analysed independently by the fatigue-risk consultancy Baines Simmons
• Respondents: 7,198 pilots analysed, from about 32 countries; fieldwork 4 August to 7 September 2026, during the summer peak
• Microsleeps: 76.8% reported at least one in the previous four weeks; 24.7% reported more than five (75.9% reported at least one in 2023)
• Recovery: 38.8% said they usually or always lacked enough rest to recover from cumulative fatigue
• Reporting: 37.2% usually report themselves unfit when fatigued; 24.2% usually fly anyway and 16.8% call in sick instead
• Hindsight: 52.0% said they had flown in the last three months when they should have reported unfit
• Fear: 46.9% of those who flew unfit cited fear of a negative management response; only 11.9% trust their airline’s fatigue reporting system
• Extensions: 38.3% used commander’s discretion to extend a duty at least once in four weeks; 69.1% were concerned about the consequences of refusing one

What ECA has said

ECA is calling for genuinely non-punitive fatigue reporting, stronger oversight of airlines by national authorities, and tighter European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules requiring airlines to manage fatigue risk proactively. It says the results should feed into EASA’s work on aircrew fatigue and any review of flight time limitations.

Limits of the data

The survey was voluntary and self-reported. The report notes that question wording and the mix of respondents changed from 2023, so year-on-year comparisons are indicative only. It does not cover Indian operators.

Sources: 1. ECA, A fatigue survey of European Pilots – 2026 (report v3.0, 9 Oct 2026) 2. ECA, Pilot fatigue: the numbers speak

Free to republish with credit: “Safety Matters Foundation (SMF) Safety Wire”.