BRUSSELS – More than three-quarters (77%) of European pilots surveyed experienced at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft in the past four weeks, according to a report released Monday by the European Cockpit Association.

The survey, conducted by aviation consultancy Baines Simmons and based on responses from 7,200 pilots across 32 countries, found little improvement in fatigue risk management since a similar study in 2023.

Despite widespread fatigue, only 37.2% of pilots said they reported being unfit to fly because of fatigue, while 24.2% said they did not report it and flew anyway.

In written responses, 38.2% cited fear of punishment or retaliation for submitting a fatigue report, while 46.9% said concerns about management’s reaction had contributed to flying while fatigued.

The survey also found continued pressure to extend flight duties under Commander’s Discretion, a provision intended to permit extensions in exceptional circumstances. Some 38.3% of pilots said they had used it at least once in the previous four weeks, while 15.2% had used it twice or more.

Meanwhile, 69.1% expressed some degree of concern about negative consequences if they refused to extend a flight duty, up from 65.8% in 2023.

ECA President Capt. Tanja Harter said the findings should prompt airlines, regulators and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to change how pilot fatigue is managed.

“This report provides all the data needed to repair Europe’s broken fatigue reporting, to strengthen EASA regulations to ensure airlines proactively manage their fatigue risks, and to enforce once and for all the requirement for non-punitive fatigue reporting and use of Commander’s Discretion to extend a flight.”

The association said fatigue reporting systems at many airlines were not considered effective or trustworthy and called for stronger oversight by national aviation authorities and measures to ensure pilots could report fatigue without fear of punishment.

The findings were reported as the EASA was finalizing a strategy on aircrew fatigue and setting priorities for the coming years.

Baines Simmons Managing Director Ian Holder said the survey reflected pilots’ experiences rather than directly measuring safety risks or outcomes.

However, he said the consistency of the findings over three years highlighted areas where airlines and regulators could focus their efforts.