Airline pilots working routes across the Middle East have expressed widespread concern about safety and potential workplace repercussions if they refuse to operate flights during the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the head of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA).
Ron Hay, president of the Montreal-based federation and a captain at Delta Air Lines, said pilots from countries including Lebanon and India have reported fears of retaliation ranging from unpaid assignments to dismissal. He described a climate in which some aviators feel discouraged from declining flights, even when conditions are uncertain due to sudden airspace closures linked to missile or drone activity.
“There is an underlying fear of retribution,” Hay said, noting that while some pilots worry about losing their jobs, others risk forfeiting pay if they opt out of specific routes.
His comments come as some Middle Eastern airlines continue to restore services following a recently announced ceasefire, which remains fragile amid continued hostilities.
Hay declined to identify specific carriers but criticised what he described as a lack of a strong safety culture in parts of the region, where pilots may feel unable to voice concerns freely. He added that the current conflict has intensified longstanding issues.
IFALPA, which represents pilot associations in countries including Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon, does not include unions at major Gulf airlines in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where labour organisations are not established.
Airlines in the region maintain that safety remains their top priority. Flights to and from key hubs in the UAE and Qatar continue to operate through designated corridors coordinated with aviation regulators.
Attempts to gather firsthand accounts from pilots based in Gulf countries were unsuccessful, with many declining to comment or not responding to inquiries.
Rising Operational and Mental Health Risks
Despite the ceasefire announcement, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended restrictions on European carriers flying through parts of Middle Eastern airspace, including the UAE and Qatar, until April 24. However, airlines based in Dubai and Doha, along with Indian carriers, continue to operate in the region.
In response to mounting concerns, IFALPA recently issued guidance stressing that pilots must retain a decisive and non-negotiable role in safety-related decisions.
A separate bulletin from the United Nations’ aviation agency highlighted the psychological strain on aviation personnel operating in or near conflict zones, warning that heightened stress, fatigue and anxiety could have critical safety implications.
Hay said many pilots have also reported insufficient guidance on navigating rapidly changing risks, such as sudden airport closures following drone strikes, complicating operational planning.
In India, members of IFALPA previously raised concerns over continued flights by Air India to affected Gulf destinations, describing the situation as serious and urging authorities to suspend operations pending a comprehensive risk assessment.
A source familiar with the matter said Air India has engaged external consultants to conduct daily safety evaluations. India’s aviation regulator has not publicly responded to these concerns.
The challenges extend beyond the cockpit. Hay cited reports from pilots in Beirut who faced difficulties returning home after landing, as infrastructure damage from the conflict disrupted access routes between the airport and residential areas.
Source: ZAWYA
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