Quantcast

Airlines cannot fire pilots for reporting fatigue: Regulations emphasize safety

Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
Airlines cannot fire pilots for reporting fatigue: Regulations emphasize safety
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Imagine a busy morning at a major airline's scheduling department. Flights are set, crews are assigned, but weather working through an area of the network has created additional delays and problems to solve. Then a pilot calls in and informs them that they will not be able to take the flight they were scheduled to fly due to fatigue.

There was an issue at the crew rest facility that prevented them from getting the required rest and, in the interest of safety, they cannot take the flight. Though this may cause some additional headaches and possibly more costly delays, it is reasonable to understand that a pilot cannot be fired for calling in tired. Indeed, there are many reasons that an airline may choose to terminate a pilot's employment, but fatigue is not one of those reasons.

The seriousness of pilot fatigue is underscored by regulations, policies, and procedures designed to address this issue.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Commercial aviation demands high levels of precision and professionalism. Individuals pursuing a career as an airline pilot must exhibit qualities such as trustworthiness, maturity, analytical thinking, self-control, professionalism, diligence, and teamwork skills. "Career Trend notes that airline pilots must be analytical thinkers, self-controlled, professional, and diligent," highlighting some essential traits for maintaining a career in this industry.

Reasons for termination can include failure to follow Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or airline regulations, sleeping at controls, substance abuse issues like alcohol or drugs, felony convictions, insubordination or inability to work well with fellow crew members, tardiness records, inappropriate use of laptops during flights resulting in communication failures with air traffic control (ATC), and severe loss of situational awareness through personal negligence.

On October 19th 2004 Corporate Airlines flight 5966 crashed while approaching Kirksville Missouri killing thirteen out fifteen onboard due largely because crew descended below minimum descent altitude without proper visual cues - contributing factors included fatigue-induced degradation performance among other things according National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Similarly back 1999 American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 accident Little Rock Arkansas attributed partially again due fatigued crew condition showing significant factor many aviation accidents related BBC article stating lack sleep akin drunkenness causing up twenty percent fatal aircraft human error cases where odd working schedules crossing multiple time zones affect circadian rhythms comparable impairments seen under alcohol influence according David Learmount Flight Global writing about fatigue within industry noting almost all regional USA pilots experiencing it despite recent commercial aviation safety improvements continues posing challenges aircrews controllers alike impairs decision-making reactions changing circumstances alters full situational awareness maintenance abilities

FAA mandates ensure safe operating environments requiring rested crews reporting fatigued states "FAA has established regulations that mandate rest periods and duty limitations to prevent fatigue-related accidents" citing Barnett Law Offices emphasizing compliance responsibility shared between pilots employers alike airlines subject numerous regulations regarding work-rest cycles hours worked flown over days defining proper crew rests amounts awarded timeframes alongside reporting procedures concerning pilot fatigues differing operational types flag international passenger flights domestic scheduled ones supplemental freight charter non-scheduled rules vary operations covered United States Department Transportation DOT outlines basic US domestic operation guidelines limiting thirty maximum weekly consecutive hour flights mandating twenty-four-hour continuous weekly rests imposing varying requirements based daily flight times similarly congressionally mandated Fatigue Risk Management Program 2010 obligates airlines train pilots dangers effects mitigation techniques covering dietary lifestyle fitness aspects alongside sleep disorders physiological impacts workloads improper workplace environments might hinder reporting opportunities however using Aviation Safety Action Program ASAP allows confidential employer non-compliance safety concerns FAA hotline direct contact agency encouraging no-retribution reports enhancing general security minimizing wrongful terminations facilitating potential legal actions against former employers claiming unjust dismissals tiredness claims

Preventing fatigue involves securing consistent adequate sleep adults generally recommended eight nightly individual variations acknowledged difficult achieve pilots maintaining conducive environment presents challenge ideal temperature quiet interruption-free darkness comfortable bedding devoid sunlight promoting regular bedtime routines difficult execute brochures advising abstaining pre-bedtime alcohol exercise considering medication impacts nutritional balance avoiding energy drinks ensuring regular meal schedules difficult implement requires self-discipline frequent home absences careers demand

In conclusion calling tired should never result firing since managing fatigue critically affects aviation integrity requiring multi-level management oversight personal corporate alignments FAA NTSB airlines collaborated establishing checks balances safeguarding against insufficiently rested operations relying ultimately pilot symptom recognition danger acknowledgment calling repercussions necessary system integrity components demanding stringent adherence razor-thin error margins sufficiency expectations

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airlines has highlighted the evolution of its cabin crew uniform, emphasizing its commitment to timeless design and practicality.

Oct 23, 2025

Emirates has achieved the Gold Tier status in the 2024 Fly Quiet Programme at New York’s JFK Airport, making it the only airline to receive this distinction among all participating carriers.

Oct 23, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025