Every commercial flight traditionally requires two pilots in the cockpit, but some aircraft manufacturers are currently working on cockpit designs that could potentially reduce the pilot count, or even eliminate the need for pilots entirely.

Thus far, airlines have largely remained silent on this matter, but pilot unions around the world are becoming increasingly vocal, expressing concerns that having fewer than two pilots could compromise safety, Politico reported.

This concept is most actively being explored in Europe, with French manufacturers Airbus and Dassault advocating for aviation regulators to consider allowing long-haul passenger planes to operate with just one pilot in the cockpit for the majority of the flight.

Despite these developments, both Dassault and Airbus declined to provide comments when approached multiple times.

This is not just a theoretical idea. Manufacturers are actively engaged in the development and testing of various autonomous flight projects, some of which are intended for commercial use.

Additionally, EASA, the European Union’s aviation regulator, is contemplating a concept where two pilots would be present in the cockpit solely for take-off and landing, with one pilot resting outside the cockpit during the rest of the flight, and shift changes occurring midway through long-haul journeys.

Written by staff