By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Fatigue “Number One Safety Threat”
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Fatigue “Number One Safety Threat”

Fatigue “Number One Safety Threat”

Contributor 153
Last updated: 14 April 2022 17:15
By Contributor 153
2 Min Read
Share
southwest new fare class
© Noah Wulf
SHARE

Southwest Airlines’ CEO has been warned by unions that fatigue is now the number one concern plaguing the carrier.

Robert Jordan received the letter, along with other executives, earlier this week and was told concerns had begun as long ago as the summer of 2021. The recent effects of scheduling issues, it says, has lead to fatigue records being smashed already this month. 

“Fatigue, both acute and cumulative, has become Southwest Airlines’ number-one safety threat.”

According to the letter, there were 330% more pilots requesting leave from their assignments due to fatigue compared to the same month before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Growing demand worsening conditions 


These figures have compounded staff and pilot shortages, and when coupled with the latest batch of poor weather affecting the US, have created a perfect storm of staff exhaustion. 

Southwest Airlines at Miami International
Southwest claims fatigue-related a sens ces are falling | © miami-airport.com

Southwest has been quick to downplay the more recent impact of staff shortages, claiming to have seen a “significant and steady” fall in the number of absences relating to fatigue, owed apparently to a fix of its scheduling in November.

Airline U-turns

The Dallas-based airline was one of many that convinced scores of workers to resign during the height of the pandemic, as executives scrambled to keep costs down in the wake of the downturn in travel. Having since made a significant U-turn, thousands of staff are now in the process of being hired, according to the airline.  

The number of daily travellers in the US reached 2 million last month, according to the FAA. As airlines now fight to secure both cabin crew and pilots, whether they are able to counteract the growing culture of feeling overworked remains to be seen.

Do you think that airline workers are overworked? Let us know in the comments below.

You Might Also Like

Vietjet Buys 20 New Airbus A330neo to Support New Services to Europe
United Airlines Operates First Mainline Flight with Starlink Internet
Airbus Leadership Change Announced as Company Focuses on ‘Next-Gen’ Aircraft Technology
Tasman Cargo (DHL) 757 Double Hydraulic Failure
Jet Airways To Stop Free Meals For Most Domestic Economy Passengers
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Contributor 153
ByContributor 153
Want to contribute to Travel Radar? You can do so by name, or as a Ghostwriter, by emailing [email protected]!
Previous Article 90 SpiceJet pilots barred from flying Boeing 737 MAX
Next Article Flybe inaugural flight from birmingham to belfast Flybe returns
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Silhouette of a business traveler walking through an airport terminal with luggage as an airplane takes off at sunset, symbolising business aviation growth 2025 and rising corporate travel demand.
Business Aviation Growth 2025: Corporate Travel Surges Beyond Pre-Pandemic Levels
Airlines Aviation Did You Know
American Airlines Passenger Aircraft Mid-Air
American Airlines to Resume Route to Tel Aviv come March 2026
Airlines Airports Travel
A Brussels Airlines plane flying in a blue sky.
Brussels Airlines Launches Flights to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
Airlines Route Development
Satellite images of Hurricane Melissa approaching Jamaica
Jamaica Braces for Hurricane Melissa as Flights are Grounded
Aviation Breaking News Incidents & Accidents Travel
mobile app
SITA’s Mobile Ground Crew APP With EasyJet
Airports Technology Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up