"Pilot's fatigue signals the need for enhanced focus on mental health", says the aviation leader

Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman of Sky One FZE, underscores the importance of adhering to DGCA directives to prevent the recurrence of similar episodes

In a tragic incident that occurred in the second week of August, Manoj Subramanyam, an IndiGo pilot, passed away in Nagpur due to a cardiac arrest. He was scheduled to operate a flight bound for Pune and was at the boarding gate when he suddenly collapsed and passed away en route to the hospital.

Around the same time, a similar incident took place involving an off-duty pilot on a Qatar Airways flight from Delhi to Doha. When a pilot operating a scheduled LATAM Airlines flight from Miami to Santiago in Chile fell ill and passed away three hours after take-off the aviation industry was understandably shaken. These incidents issue an urgent reminder that aviators are human beings first, and their well-being must be attended to judiciously across the globe. Each untimely demise marked a personal tragedy but also served as a stark reminder of the health and well-being challenges faced by aviation professionals in the industry. also ignited fervent discussions about pilot fatigue and mental health and underscored the critical importance of addressing these issues to ensure the safety and stability of aviation.

Aviation experts have pointed out that there is an imperative need to go beyond the physical and address the mental well-being of pilots and crew members as well. They recommend implementing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and advocate for a swift assessment of mental health during the existing medical examinations conducted for commercial pilot licenses and other license categories.

In February of this year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued guidelines regarding mental health among pilots, cabin crew, and air traffic controllers (ATCOs). ‘Recognizing that stress profoundly impacts mental well-being and, consequently, the health and professional performance of aviators is very important. The DGCA guideline’s focus on checking the medical history or clinical diagnosis of any mental health disorder is important during the initial medical examination of individuals selected for such responsible positions,” informs Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman of global aviation conglomerate Sky One FZE.

He adds that it is not only important to strictly adhere to the DGCA's directives but also to integrate these measures into the policies of the airlines. “This integration is crucial to ensuring that the mental well-being of pilots is effectively addressed not just during their selection but throughout their careers,” he says.

Air India has in fact started a peer support program (PSP) under guidance from mental health professionals, which will be provided to any pilot in need in complete confidentiality. Hailing such steps, Mr. Mirchandani says more such initiatives should be taken and also discusses the challenges that may come in the way of their implementation. ‘We should take steps to eradicate misconceptions about reporting mental well-being issues to the relevant authorities and support people seeking help. It is important that employees do not fear that seeking help will raise concerns about their fitness to fly. Airlines must normalize mental health conversations via comprehensive awareness programs for pilots."

In his opinion, mental health can even be a mandatory component within training modules. "Pilots should also consistently have access to organizational support, and when necessary, there should be crisis intervention. No aviator should be burdened with unattended anxiety and stress mid-air," concludes Mr. Mirchandani.