Europe (EUR)

Piloting Safety

about EUR

In the European Region, the European Cockpit Association (ECA) acts as the regional body of IFALPA, ensuring a strong and unified voice for airline pilots at the heart of the European aviation decision-making structure. This provides effective and coordinated engagement with key European institutions responsible for aviation policy and regulation, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and specialised agencies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), and EUROCONTROL.

Through this close integration with ECA, IFALPA’s European representation is led by one Executive Vice-President (EVP), who also serves as ECA’s Vice-President. This dual role ensures alignment between IFALPA’s global objectives and the specific priorities of European aviation policy, while strengthening the ability to advocate effectively on behalf of professional pilots.

This structure is essential in a region where aviation policy is highly developed and deeply interconnected. It enables timely and coordinated engagement on complex regulatory, safety, security, environmental, and operational issues that directly affect the profession of airline pilot. By working collectively through ECA, IFALPA ensures that pilots’ operational expertise and safety perspective are consistently reflected in European decision-making processes.

At its core, IFALPA’s presence in Europe supports a clear mission: to promote the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and professionalism by ensuring that the pilot voice remains central in shaping the future of European aviation.

Safety Starts with Two

IFALPA emphasizes that while aviation automation and AI continue to evolve, the presence of two qualified pilots on the flight deck remains essential to flight safety, as proposed reduced or single-crew operations introduce significant risks and must not compromise the highest safety standards.
Learn more

De-indentifiying Accident Reports

IFALPA upports de-identified accident reporting in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, focusing investigations on safety lessons and prevention rather than individual attribution, as public identification of crew does not improve safety and may negatively affect future investigations.
Learn more

Artificial Intelligence in Civil Aviation

AI can support aviation safety and decision-making, but it must not replace human pilots, who must retain full control and accountability, supported by transparent, secure systems and training that preserves core skills.
Learn more

Remote Towers

Remote Towers introduce new operational and safety risks due to their reliance on continuous data links and centralized control, requiring robust contingency measures, clear regulatory standards, and demonstrated safety levels at least equivalent to conventional tower operations before implementation.
Learn more

Single European Aviation Market: Opportunities and Complexities

The European aviation market has evolved alongside the European Union, developing from a nationally regulated system into a single integrated air transport market. EU liberalisation and the removal of internal borders have enabled transnational airline operations, increasing connectivity, competition, and passenger choice across Europe.

While this integration has delivered clear benefits for passengers and the industry, it has also introduced new complexities for airline pilots, including greater regulatory and contractual fragmentation within multinational operators and increased operational pressures linked to competition.

In this context, effective pilot representation remains essential to ensure that operational realities are reflected in the decision-making process, and that safety, security, and professional standards are maintained as the European aviation market continues to evolve.

Latest Publications
March 30, 2023

Ankara-Nicosia FIR Boundary

This joint IFALPA-IFATCA Briefing Leaflet, written in close cooperation with IFALPA’s Member Associations in Cyprus and Türkiye, details the communication

Read more

Meet the Team

Capt. Paul Reuter

Executive Vice-President Europe (EUR)

An airline pilot for nearly three decades, Paul Reuter is currently Captain on the B737 and B738 for Luxair. He has served as president of ALPL, and on the Board of Directors at Luxair. Capt. Reuter is also VP at the European Cockpit Association, Chair of EPPSI (the European Pilot Peer Support Initiative), and an IFALPA Accredited Accident Investigator. Paul was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2021.

Capt. Arnaud du Bédat

Senior Technical Officer