Aviation: Pilots report more frequent short naps in the cockpit

Frankfurt/Main. According to a survey, commercial airline pilots are taking short naps more frequently during flights. This so-called "napping" is no longer a fringe phenomenon, but a widespread reality, explains the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), warning of safety risks.

In principle, a controlled rest break for one of the two crew members during cruise flight is unproblematic, according to the VC. Furthermore, the flight is usually carried out on autopilot during the period between takeoff and landing.

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"What was originally intended as a short-term recovery measure has developed into a permanent remedy for structural overload," explains VC Vice President Katharina Dieseldorff. The situation worsens particularly in the summer months: "Pilots report to us that they are completing their missions despite extreme fatigue. The reasons are tight schedules, staff shortages, and increasing operational pressure."

According to VC, more than 900 pilots from almost all German airlines participated in the non-representative survey. 93 percent reported having taken a short nap during a flight in the past few months. 44 percent of participants regularly took advantage of the opportunity to rest during their missions.

The VC does not name any companies with risky crew planning. In a general appeal, it states: "A corporate culture that downplays or ignores fatigue is a safety risk."

The VC calls for decisive action from airlines, authorities, and politicians to protect crews and passengers. Better monitoring of flight duty times and science-based risk management against fatigue are necessary.

RND/dpa