A new study funded by the European Commission and conducted by Ghent University on the working conditions of pilots and cabin crew at airlines in the EU reveals some alarming trends that are not necessarily encouraging for airline passengers.

High workloads, fatigue, stress, and feelings of dehumanization are commonplace, and the pressure for efficiency and cost savings has only increased, particularly in low-cost carriers. Add to these uncertain contracts or working conditions and the often deliberate circumvention of legal rules on rest periods, and it immediately becomes clear that profit, not safety, is the highest priority.

Worrying trends

The study “UGent 2.0 – Evolving Social Challenges for Aircrew and the Need for Regulatory Response” was conducted by Prof. Yves Jorens and Dr. Lien Valcke, and surveyed 6,900 flight crew members from over 100 airlines in the EU.

Some of the trends revealed by the study are disturbing, to put it mildly. For example, 78% of respondents reported experiencing a feeling of dehumanization, with cabin crew members in particular stating that their company treats them like numbers rather than professionals. 68% of respondents also score below the threshold that indicates positive well-being.

Almost half (45%) feel that stress, fatigue, and mental strain are noticeably affecting their performance. And more than 35% of crew members and over 20% of pilots also report that they do not always report fatigue or health problems due to fear of career consequences.

Also worrying is that more than 10% report no safety incidents at all, even though situations did arise, which clearly indicates that the reporting culture is under pressure. Additionally, a few more figures clearly indicate a lack of union protection. More than 10% indicate that their official “home base” or contractual location does not correspond to their actual base, which suggests possible circumvention of social security contributions and labor laws.

5.8% of pilots also work as self-employed individuals, which, according to the researchers, is an atypical and high-risk form of employment in the sector. A significant proportion of respondents also have a second job to make ends meet, which further increases fatigue and safety risks.

Uncertain contracts

What is generally striking is that the proportion of employees who hesitate to report problems is consistently higher among staff with atypical contracts, such as temporary or interim contracts. These are more common in low-cost airlines. Another related observation is that many experienced, older pilots are leaving the sector and being replaced by young, less experienced colleagues with flexible contracts. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this phenomenon.

It is precisely these uncertain contracts that make young pilots vulnerable and encourage them to accept working conditions that do not prioritize safety.

Single-pilot operations

New trends highlighted in the study include the increasing use of ‘single-pilot operations’, whereby commercial flights are operated with only one pilot in the cockpit instead of two. Such cost-saving measures are being implemented, for example, to compensate for the shortage of pilots and are technically possible thanks to the emergence of AI.

However, eliminating cross-checking between two pilots can lead to more human error, while fatigue and medical emergencies pose a serious safety risk for the sole pilot.

Another trend that may also pose a potential safety risk is the additional task assigned to cabin crew of selling various items during the flight. In some cases, part of their salary depends on their sales skills.

The finger of blame points to Eastern Europe

One general consideration regarding the study is that not all airlines are represented equally. Low-cost carriers, airlines from Eastern Europe, and airlines with atypical working practices appear to be more heavily represented in the findings.

It is precisely this inequality between workers, or the distinction between stable and atypical contracts, that may lead staff in Eastern Europe to be less inclined to report fatigue or health problems, out of fear or due to contractual pressure, compared to their colleagues in Western Europe.

In this context, it is essential to mention the rise of leasing companies. In this case, an airline leases an aircraft with a crew from a subcontractor, a practice also employed by large airlines such as Brussels Airlines during busy periods. No less than 65% of the staff at these leasing companies work on atypical contracts, and it is not uncommon for these subcontractors to be officially based in Eastern European countries where the rules are less strict.

Revision needed

The study, therefore, calls for addressing the gaps in the regulatory frameworks. This could be achieved, for example, in the context of revising Regulation 1008/2008 on EU air services, which is currently underway.

The aim of this revision is precisely to update the regulation so that it better responds to today’s challenges in terms of sustainability, social policy, sector resilience, and technological developments. At the same time, it also calls for stricter controls and better protection for workers in general.