Just over half of the Icelandair pilots who took part in a fatigue survey by Félag íslenskra atvinnuflugmanna (the Icelandic Airline Pilots Association) said they had unintentionally fallen asleep while on duty on board during a three-month period this summer.
The survey was sent to all Icelandair pilots in the first half of August. A total of 508 pilots responded, or just under 80% of the association's members. They were asked about their experiences over the previous three months. The results are marked confidential, but RÚV has obtained a copy.
Of those who responded, 286, or 56%, said they had experienced unintended sleep, including microsleep, while on duty on board. A third of all respondents said it had happened more than once.
90% believe workload is having a negative impact on flight safety
Nine out of ten respondents considered the workload and shift arrangements unsustainable in terms of fatigue. The same proportion believed they were having a negative impact on flight safety.
There were significant differences in pilots' responses depending on which aircraft fleet they worked on. Fatigue affecting alertness at work was most prevalent among pilots in the Boeing 737 fleet.
When pilots believe fatigue could endanger flight safety, they are required to remove themselves from a flight. The survey found that a third did not feel confident doing so, whether at their home base or at an outstation. FÍA considers this one of the most serious safety shortcomings identified.
FÍA's summary says the results depict an operation in which an unacceptable safety risk has become an accepted part of Icelandair's day-to-day operations. FÍA notes that the questions were neutral and made no reference to pay or employment issues. The results have been given to Icelandair. According to FÍA, Icelandair did not dispute the picture of fatigue and workload presented by the survey. The two parties now intend to work on improvements, and the results will also be sent to the Icelandic Transport Authority.
Proposals for improvements being developed
Icelandair says the safety of passengers and staff is always its top priority. This was stated in a response issued by the company following an enquiry from Kastljós. It says Icelandair's collective agreement with FÍA goes further in many cases than regulations governing crew rest and working hours.
FÍA has presented Icelandair with the results of the survey, and work is under way on proposals and improvements. Icelandair therefore says it is premature at this stage to discuss the substance of the findings in the media.
Icelandair's statement in full
The safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff is always a top priority at Icelandair. The company complies with strict international rules governing the working and rest periods of flight crews. Icelandair's collective agreement with FÍA goes further in many cases than regulations require in terms of rest, and the working hours of the company's crews are always below the maximum permitted under the regulations.
FÍA has presented Icelandair with the results of a recent survey conducted by the union among pilots, and joint work between the parties has already begun to analyse the findings and put forward proposals for improvements where necessary. It is therefore premature at this stage to discuss the substance of the findings in the media.
