In a new initiative to combat fatigue among pilots and cabin crew, the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen), in collaboration with airlines and unions, has launched the campaign “Flyv Frisk” (Fly Fresh). The purpose is to raise awareness about fatigue, a state of persistent tiredness that can pose a risk to aviation safety. Fatigue can arise due to sleep deprivation, often caused by long working hours and varying shifts, which are part of the daily life for many in the aviation industry. Additionally, jet lag from flights across different time zones can also contribute to the problem.
Mads Eklund, an aviation inspector at the Danish Transport Authority, emphasizes that aviation safety can be compromised if employees in aviation experience fatigue. “Aviation safety is built up of many layers that contribute to making air travel a safe form of transportation. If these layers are weakened due to fatigue, it can lead to serious consequences,” he says. The “Flyv Frisk” campaign has been launched in response to a growing trend of employees reporting their fatigue. “It is positive that we see an increase in reports, as our system relies on this data to make necessary adjustments,” Eklund explains.
One of the primary challenges is that many employees are not fully aware of what fatigue actually entails, and some fear the consequences of reporting their condition. “We hope that the campaign can help educate about fatigue and reduce any concerns about reporting it,” Eklund adds. The Danish Transport Authority and airlines will continue to monitor reports to identify patterns and ensure that any issues related to fatigue in the industry are addressed.