European airline pilots are increasingly voicing concerns over their work-life balance, excessive working hours, and precarious employment contracts, with industry experts warning that these stressors could impact flight safety.
A recent survey of nearly 6,500 pilots across Europe has highlighted growing dissatisfaction within the industry, particularly during last year’s peak summer travel season.
“We’ve seen growing concern about work-life balance,” said Sarah Kamer, Senior Transnational Airlines & Industrial Affairs Manager at the European Cockpit Association (ECA), in an interview with The Brussels Times.
“Pilots are often flying at their maximum roster capacity, which contributes to fatigue and dissatisfaction.”
Growing Strain on Pilots
Following the post-pandemic surge in air travel demand, pilots have reported feeling stretched to their limits.
The summer of 2022 saw widespread labor disputes across major airlines such as Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, and Brussels Airlines, with crew members protesting against poor pay and pandemic-era cost-cutting measures.
The ECA had previously warned that such pressures could compromise safety, citing an increase in incidents linked to stressful working conditions.
Although the aviation industry has since stabilized, conflicts between pilots and airline management persist. A 2024 ranking of airlines based on social conditions identified some of the worst offenders as those employing irregular contracts and engaging in anti-union practices.
Many pilots expressed frustration over airlines disregarding EU regulations, such as the law of home base, which mandates that cockpit crew be employed under the labor laws of their airline’s registered country.
“High inflation has made it even more difficult for pilots to recover their pre-Covid terms and conditions, as simply returning to those levels is no longer enough,” Kamer noted.
Safety Concerns Linked to Working Conditions
The survey featured troubling accounts from pilots about precarious employment through non-EU agencies, unpaid holiday time, and grueling work schedules.
One anonymous respondent revealed that their airline instructed pilots to “shut up and work,” dismissing fatigue concerns outright.
These revelations raise serious alarms about aviation safety. “Pilots in airlines with weaker labor protections report feeling pressured to use commander’s discretion or fly at their limits, which raises safety concerns,” Kamer said.
Research from the London School of Economics and the University of Ghent supports this, showing that financially insecure pilots often feel compelled to work even when unwell, fearing loss of income.
The Link Between Workplace Conditions and Safety
Interestingly, the airlines ranked highest for social conditions also rank among the safest in Europe.
Dutch airline KLM, for example, has a longstanding positive relationship with the Dutch Pilots’ Union VNV and a history of constructive labor negotiations, leading to both high employee satisfaction and a strong safety record.
Mixed Reputation Among Low-Cost Airlines
While low-cost carriers are often criticized for poor working conditions, the ECA argues that affordability does not necessarily equate to exploitation.
Spanish airline Vueling ranked among the top ten employers for pilots due to its solid union agreements, while easyJet’s collaborative approach with unions has also resulted in higher job satisfaction.
Legal battles continue over the classification of pilots as self-employed contractors, with recent rulings against Ryanair strengthening pilots’ rights.
“While marginal, [the improvements] reflect progress in recognizing unions and engaging in collective bargaining,” Kamer concluded.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
