Airline safety is being compromised by pilot fatigue, BBC News has found.
Airline pilots have expressed growing concerns that fatigue is leading to potential dangerous incidents in the air, BBC News has found.
Some 32 UK-based pilots said they had flown while unfit. Some blamed the situation on the intensity of work and managers ignoring their concerns.
The BBC heard from 32 pilots who said they had flown while unfit. Some blamed the situation on the intensity of work and managers ignoring their concerns.
A separate survey by pilots' union Balpa suggests 81% believe fatigue had affected performance; while 63% are flying more hours than five years ago.
Some 81% of pilots surveyed by union Balpa said fatigue had affected them.
UK-registered pilots may not fly more than 900 hours per year and there is no evidence this is being exceeded.
UK-registered pilots may not fly more than 900 hours per year and there is no evidence this is being exceeded.
Industry groups say the airlines have an "exemplary safety record".
Industry groups say the airlines have an "exemplary safety record".
'Falling asleep'
'Falling asleep'
Most airlines told the BBC News investigation their average hours had barely changed in the last few years.
Most airlines told the BBC News investigation their average hours had barely changed in the last few years.
The Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates the industry, estimates that pilots are flying 30% more hours than a decade ago but maintains the "finest flight time limitations system in the world" means fatigue is not an issue.
The Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates the industry, estimates that pilots are flying 30% more hours than a decade ago but maintains the "finest flight time limitations system in the world" means fatigue is not an issue.
PILOT FATIGUE SURVEY Response times affected: 76% Unable to refuse duties: 12%Public 'should be concerned': 79% Source: Balpa
PILOT FATIGUE SURVEY Response times affected: 76% Unable to refuse duties: 12%Public 'should be concerned': 79% Source: Balpa
BBC research has found that the demand for more and cheaper flights - particularly short haul - has resulted in some pilots flying more hours and in some cases up to six flights per shift.
BBC research has found that the demand for more and cheaper flights - particularly short haul - has resulted in some pilots flying more hours and in some cases up to six flights per shift.
The pilots spoke anonymously for fear of losing their jobs.
The pilots spoke anonymously for fear of losing their jobs.
One said: "I have fallen asleep unintentionally in the air where you close your eyes for a second and realise that 10 minutes have passed."
One said: "I have fallen asleep unintentionally in the air where you close your eyes for a second and realise that 10 minutes have passed."
Another said: "A little minor thing can take your mind off the bigger task."
Another said: "A little minor thing can take your mind off the bigger task."
'Biggest issue'
'Biggest issue'
Following the BBC's inquiries, the UK's largest pilots' union, the British Air Line Pilots' Association, questioned 534 of its members.
Following the BBC's inquiries, the UK's largest pilots' union, the British Air Line Pilots' Association, questioned 534 of its members.
In the UK we have some of the most regulated pilot flying hours and duty hours in the world Roger Wiltshire, BATA
In the UK we have some of the most regulated pilot flying hours and duty hours in the world Roger Wiltshire, BATA
Some 76% said their response times had been affected by fatigue, 72% said there had been an impact on decision-making skills and 41% said they would refuse to fly if fatigued.
Some 76% said their response times had been affected by fatigue, 72% said there had been an impact on decision-making skills and 41% said they would refuse to fly if fatigued.
But 12% said they would not feel able to refuse duties even if exhausted, while a further 33% said they would refuse - but feared disciplinary action.
But 12% said they would not feel able to refuse duties even if exhausted, while a further 33% said they would refuse - but feared disciplinary action.
A total of 63% said they are flying more hours than five years ago.
Overall, some 79% told Balpa the public should be concerned about fatigue.
Overall, some 79% told Balpa the public should be concerned about fatigue.
Balpa chairman Mervyn Granshaw described fatigue is "the single biggest issue facing aviation".
Balpa chairman Mervyn Granshaw described fatigue is "the single biggest issue facing aviation".
He said: "At the moment we are not seeing it appear as accidents or incidents but we're getting closer to that point."
He said: "At the moment we are not seeing it appear as accidents or incidents but we're getting closer to that point."
Encouraging sickies?
Encouraging sickies?
The industry highlights the fact that fatigue has only been cited as a cause in reported accidents and safety incidents on official databases in fewer than one in 1,000 cases.
The industry highlights the fact that fatigue has only been cited as a cause in reported accidents and safety incidents on official databases in fewer than one in 1,000 cases.
Evidence gathered by the BBC suggests that fatigue has become a taboo subject and that pilots are scared of losing their jobs if they raise it.
Evidence gathered by the BBC suggests that fatigue has become a taboo subject and that pilots are scared of losing their jobs if they raise it.
"Whenever I reported that I was completely exhausted the operator says 'Are you refusing to do the duty?'" one said.
"Whenever I reported that I was completely exhausted the operator says 'Are you refusing to do the duty?'" one said.
"He should not have been asking me, let alone bullying me into doing it."
"He should not have been asking me, let alone bullying me into doing it."
The survey respondents said the public should be concerned
The survey respondents said the public should be concerned
The BBC has also learned of an incident on a flight to Europe.
The BBC has also learned of an incident on a flight to Europe.
The captain told his co-pilot he was exhausted, who suggested he "take five minutes kip - I'll take it from here".
The captain told his co-pilot he was exhausted, who suggested he "take five minutes kip - I'll take it from here".
As the captain rested his eyes the aircraft - on autopilot - began to turn, putting it on a collision course with another passenger plane.
As the captain rested his eyes the aircraft - on autopilot - began to turn, putting it on a collision course with another passenger plane.
Air Traffic Control radioed an urgent warning.
Air Traffic Control radioed an urgent warning.
Realising there was no response the captain looked across to see his co-pilot asleep.
Realising there was no response the captain looked across to see his co-pilot asleep.
How else are we going to get these people out of a situation where they could hazard an aeroplane? Dr Ian Perry
How else are we going to get these people out of a situation where they could hazard an aeroplane? Dr Ian Perry
Corrective action was taken to avert danger. But in the incident report the pilot failed to mention that his colleague was asleep.
Corrective action was taken to avert danger. But in the incident report the pilot failed to mention that his colleague was asleep.
"I didn't want to get him into trouble," he told the BBC. "It's not his fault, it's basically what the company are doing."
"I didn't want to get him into trouble," he told the BBC. "It's not his fault, it's basically what the company are doing."
Dr Ian Perry, one of the country's leading consultants in aviation medicine, says the number of pilots coming to see him who are chronically fatigued has doubled over the last five years to four or five people a fortnight, he said.
Dr Ian Perry, one of the country's leading consultants in aviation medicine, says the number of pilots coming to see him who are chronically fatigued has doubled over the last five years to four or five people a fortnight, he said.
"I've been accused by some authorities of encouraging people to report a backache, a headache, a something - so they can have days off to recover from their fatigue.
"I've been accused by some authorities of encouraging people to report a backache, a headache, a something - so they can have days off to recover from their fatigue.
"I don't deny it. But how else are we going to get these people out of a situation where they could hazard an aeroplane?"
"I don't deny it. But how else are we going to get these people out of a situation where they could hazard an aeroplane?"
The two groups, which represent the airlines in the UK, deny fatigue affects pilots.
The two groups, which represent the airlines in the UK, deny fatigue affects pilots.
John Hanlon, secretary general of the European Low Fares Airline Association, said: "Europe's low fare airlines have an exemplary safety record and this has been delivered by making safety the number one priority at all times."
In a statement, John Hanlon, secretary general of the European Low Fares Airline Association, said: "Aircrew flying duties are strictly regulated by the CAA and the IAA in the UK and Ireland which ensures that no pilot can fly more than 900 hrs per annum (average 17 hours per week).
"These safety limits are met by all airlines and are subject to regular audit.
"Europe's low fare airlines have an exemplary safety record and this has been delivered by making safety the number one priority at all times."
He said a scheme is in place so its members' pilots were free to report any issues without having to divulge their identity.
He said a scheme is in place so its members' pilots were free to report any issues without having to divulge their identity.
Roger Wiltshire of the British Air Transport Association, said pilots are flying well within their regulated flying hour limits.
Roger Wiltshire of the British Air Transport Association, said pilots are flying well within their regulated flying hour limits.
"Although short haul pilots are flying more hours than they were that's because the schedules are more efficient," he said.
"We don't feel there is a fatigue issue in the industry. Pilots are flying well within the regulated flying hour limits, and in the UK we have some of the most regulated pilot flying hours and duty hours in the world.
"And although short haul pilots are flying more hours than they were that's because the schedules are more efficient," he said.
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