ECA Survey of 7,200 European Pilots Finds 76.8% Reported Microsleep in Prior Four Weeks
Why It MattersThe findings put pilot fatigue reporting and risk-management systems under pressure from both the pilot community and regulators, a theme that extends beyond airlines to any operation relying on crew duty extensions.
The European Cockpit Association (ECA) published the findings of a survey of 7,200 European airline pilots on Oct. 27, based on an independent report by aviation safety consultancy Baines Simmons. Responses came from pilots in 32 countries between Aug. 4 and Sept. 7, 2026, covering the busy summer operating period.
Of the respondents, 76.8% experienced at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft in the four weeks before completing the survey, and 38.8% said they usually or always lacked sufficient rest to prevent fatigue from accumulating between duty periods. Nearly one-quarter said they fly despite feeling too fatigued or unfit for duty. On reporting, 37.2% said they report when fatigued or unfit, while 24.2% said they do not report their condition and fly anyway. Only 11.9% of pilots said they trusted their airline's fatigue reporting system. The ECA said fear of disciplinary action or negative reactions from management remains a significant barrier to reporting fatigue.
The survey also examined commander's discretion, which allows captains to extend flight duty periods in exceptional circumstances. Some 38.3% of respondents had used it at least once in the previous four weeks, and 15.2% reported using it twice or more, while 69.1% expressed concern about potential negative consequences if they refused a duty extension. The ECA said the findings point to shortcomings in fatigue risk management. It called for stronger reporting protections, more effective fatigue risk management systems, and improved oversight by national authorities and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
