World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
More than three-quarters of surveyed European pilots say they have dozed off in flight
An ECA survey of more than 7,000 European pilots in August 2026 found that over three-quarters had briefly fallen asleep during a flight.
More than a third said they had started a flight without enough rest.
Nearly 40% said they did not always report being tired or unfit to fly, with fear of workplace consequences cited as a reason.
Aeropers says the problem also affects pilots in Switzerland, and that the situation has not improved.
Its board member Thomas Steffen said pressure to cut costs can increase demands on staff.
Swiss says safety comes first and that its rest rules are stricter than legal requirements; pilots who feel unfit must declare themselves unavailable.
Aeropers is calling for stricter rules, saying current measures are not enough to address fatigue as a safety risk.
An European Cockpit Association survey found that more than three-quarters of surveyed European pilots had briefly fallen asleep in flight.
The survey, conducted in August 2026 among more than 7,000 pilots, also found that more than a third had begun a flight without enough rest.
Nearly 40% said they did not always report fatigue or being unfit to fly, with fear of workplace consequences cited as a reason.
Swiss pilots’ association Aeropers said the situation in Switzerland had not improved since its previous survey three years earlier.
Swiss said safety is its top priority and that its pilots’ rest rules are stricter than legal requirements.
- Who
- More than 7,000 European pilots were surveyed by the European Cockpit Association.
- What
- More than three-quarters said they had briefly fallen asleep in flight.
- When
- The survey was conducted in August 2026.
- Where
- The survey covered European pilots; Aeropers also said the problem affects pilots in Switzerland.
- Why
- The reports link fatigue to insufficient rest and pressure on staff to reduce costs. Some pilots reportedly fear workplace consequences if they report fatigue.
Aeropers
Swiss
Safety measures
Aeropers
Aeropers says current measures are not enough and calls for stricter rules.
Swiss
Swiss says safety is its top priority and its rest rules are stricter than legal requirements.
Fatigue reporting
Aeropers
Aeropers says fatigue remains a risk and the situation in Switzerland has not improved.
Swiss
Swiss says pilots who do not feel fit to fly must take themselves off duty and can report incidents through an internal system.
Aeropers’ previous survey found a similar picture, according to the association.
The European Cockpit Association surveyed more than 7,000 European pilots.
Le Matin and rts.ch reported the survey findings.
- Survey size
- More than 7,000 European pilots
- Briefly fell asleep in flight
- More than three-quarters
- Not sufficiently rested at take-off
- More than one-third
- Do not always report fatigue or unfitness to fly
- Nearly 40%
- Aeropers’ previous survey
- Three years earlier
3 sources
What people are saying
The situation has not improved.
Economic considerations do not change that.