Airline Pilots Manage Growing Risks from Drones, Missiles, and Conflict-Related Stress

Airline pilots face increasing challenges as conflicts in regions like the Middle East, Ukraine, and Afghanistan have intensified, leading to shrinking airspace and heightened risks from drones, missiles, and GPS spoofing. Pilots, who are not trained for military threats, report rising stress and anxiety managing these dangers while ensuring passenger safety. Industry experts note worsening airspace safety over the past two and a half years, with some flights diverted or canceled due to security concerns. Airlines have introduced peer support programs to help pilots cope with these pressures.