Pilots and other aviation personnel who work in or near conflict zones may be experiencing significant mental stress that, if not addressed, can compromise their well-being as well as operational safety, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says.
In Electronic Bulletin 2026/12, issued April 9, ICAO called on the aviation community, including regulators and operators, to work together to “promote and support the mental well-being of aviation personnel to enable safe aviation operations.”
Operations in or near conflict zones can increase levels of stress, anxiety, and fatigue facing pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, and maintenance and ground personnel, the bulletin said, noting that the causes of the additional stress could include fear of a missile strike, explosion, or other threat or actual exposure to such an event. Passengers may exper…
