Pilots launch bathroom campaign against one-pilot-only flights

The European Cockpit Association (ECA), which represents airline pilots, will run an advertisement campaign in Brussels Airport’s bathrooms to protest the potential removal of one pilot from the cockpit during flights.

The 20 – 27 July campaign comes as EU officials mull proposed rule changes to reduce minimum airline crew requirements, including an option which would see just one pilot on board certain flights.

EASA confirmed that the rule changes were being considered following requests from airline manufacturers. Technological advances such as remote controls and autonomous operations may be able to complete operations currently undertaken by humans on board aircraft.

European Cockpit Association (ECA) is the representative body of European pilots, and the adverts to be displayed in the airport bathrooms are part of its ‘OneMeansNone’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness about  “the safety risks of reducing crew members”.

According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), two options are being assessed.

‘Extended Minimum Crew Operations’ (eMCO) would require only one pilot in the cockpit during the cruise phase while another pilot(s) on board is resting. ‘Single Pilot Operations’ (SiPo) would require only one pilot on board for the whole flight, from landing to departure inclusive.

“We hope this campaign is a conversation starter, showing graphically just why we need at least two pilots in the cockpit,” said Captain Otjan de Bruijn, ECA president, in an 18 July press release.

The advert material asks how an emergency would be handled if a sole pilot were taking a comfort break at the time—hence why the adverts are being placed in Brussels Airport’s bathrooms.

“We cannot let airlines’ commercial interests get in the way of passenger safety”, de Bruijn continued.”

The proposals are currently being evaluated by EASA, who told Euractiv, “The concept being investigated more intensely is eMCO. There is some consideration of SiPo, but only for freighters. There is no consideration of SiPo for commercial passenger flights at this time”.

EASA added, “The overriding consideration is that safety must not be compromised. Operations must therefore be demonstrably at least as safe as the current two-pilot operations are today to gain approval”.

EASA also explained that all parties and stakeholders are being involved in the process and that “an independent scientific research project has been commissioned”.

An ECA video states that EASA will recommend any rule changes to the European Commission in 2026. However when asked by Euractiv, EASA said that it “can’t comment on where they are in the process,” but that “there is no firm timeline for the introduction of either type of operations.”

Technological solutions are increasingly able to replace human operators in several transport sectors, including rail, maritime and road.

The European Commission has noted that “automation and digitalisation are creating many new challenges as well as opportunities for the transport workforce,” and in November 2023, released guidelines on how to manage the impact of these trends on workers.

[Edited by Donagh Cagney/Alice Taylor]

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