Airline Pilots Association warns against reducing cockpit crew requirements

The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has announced on X that the most crucial safety feature on any airliner is the presence of at least two well-rested pilots on the flight deck at all times.

According to operational studies and expert analysis, the rationale for insisting on two pilots is grounded in safety concerns. A single pilot cannot safely manage all flight tasks, particularly under unexpected conditions such as equipment failures, adverse weather, or emergencies. AeroSafety World, via the Flight Safety Foundation, states that two pilots are "the most important safety assets" on any aircraft because they can share situational awareness, check each other's work, and respond swiftly when anomalies arise.

The human-factors argument emphasizes that crew redundancy reduces errors and task shedding due to fatigue or overload. While automation and monitors can assist, they cannot fully replace human judgment and crosschecks. ALPA's publications indicate that a single-pilot workload increases dramatically and leads to more mistakes or omissions under pressure, making safety vulnerable without a second pilot in the cockpit.