A new EU-funded Ghent University study reveals that insecure employment for pilots and cabin crew is creating serious aviation safety risks across Europe. Based on 2024 data from over 100 airlines, 10.3% of aircrew hold “atypical” contracts, often in low-cost or wet-lease operations. These workers face higher insecurity, weaker protections, and are less likely to report fatigue or safety incidents — over 10% admit they don’t report at all.
The report finds these pressures now affect the entire sector, including staff at legacy airlines, with younger and cabin crew particularly vulnerable. Loopholes in EU rules, such as mismatched home bases, allow operators to avoid tax and social obligations.
Researchers urge the EU to tighten employment protections, enforce base definitions, integrate well-being into safety systems, and strengthen collective representation. The findings come as Brussels reviews Regulation (EC) 1008/2008, offering a key chance to address these regulatory gaps.
This post was published on 1 October 2025 11:48
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner has called for lengthy airport border-control…
Airbus and Kratos have completed the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat…
Selma Blair, 54, was taken into police custody at New York JFK Airport late on…
ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have called on the European Commission and Schengen…
TUI Belgium has confirmed a data breach after customers reported receiving fraudulent messages containing accurate…
In September 2026, Airbus recorded 17 gross orders and delivered 72 commercial aircraft, according to…