Commercial airlines face challenges in adopting single-pilot flights

Airlines argue that single-pilot flights could reduce costs by lowering payroll and training expenses, potentially resulting in cheaper fares or improved services. Airbus and Dassault have requested regulatory reviews from EASA, citing current automation levels as sufficient for reduced crew operations during cruising.

Opposition comes from groups like One Means None, which highlight safety concerns such as lower situational awareness and increased workload for pilots. They argue that one pilot may struggle with issues like unruly passengers or technical malfunctions without a co-pilot.

Recent incidents underscore these concerns. A Lufthansa A321 was left temporarily pilotless after an officer suffered a seizure while alone in the cockpit. Spanish authorities recommended measures to prevent such situations by ensuring another person is present when one pilot leaves the cockpit.

While private jets operate safely with single pilots under certain regulations, commercial aircraft face stricter requirements. Examples include jets like Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 and HondaJet Elite II, which have limited range and capacity compared to commercial planes.

As discussions continue, EASA's latest updates show caution toward approving single-pilot operations soon. Janet Northcote of EASA stated: “EASA has adjusted its rulemaking program to make clear that we will focus first on evaluating the development and deployment of such advanced cockpit technologies."

With Florian Guillermet taking over as EASA's director, further developments will determine whether commercial airlines will adopt single-pilot operations or maintain current standards for safety reasons.