As war spreads, airline pilots contend with drones, missiles - and stress - Reuters
As war spreads, airline pilots contend with drones, missiles - and stress Reuters
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"We are not military pilots. We are not trained to deal with these kinds of threats in the air."
— Tanja Harter , Executive
"No one can give you a guarantee that they won’t bomb the airport or will bomb the airport."
— Mohammed Aziz , Executive
"We are not military pilots. We are not trained to deal with these kinds of threats in the air."
— Tanja Harter , Executive
"Middle East pilots have always faced crises, so from the start we trained how to deal with contingencies, emergencies and everything else."
— Captain Mohammed Aziz , Executive
"Pilots who are not trained to manage aerial threats like missiles, which can lead to anxiety and fear."
— Tanja Harter , Executive
"Current measures to manage drone threats are limited, often leading to airport shutdowns as a precaution."
— Tim Friebe , Executive
"We are not military pilots. We are not trained to deal with these kinds of threats in the air."
— Tanja Harter , Executive
"No one can give you a guarantee that they won't bomb the airport or will bomb the airport."
— Captain Mohammed Aziz , Executive
"Drones are not easily detected."
— Christian von D'Ahe , Executive
Key People
He is the director general of Lebanon’s civil aviation authority.
Commercial aircraft pilot for 15 years and head of the Danish Air Line Pilots Association.
A commercial aircraft pilot for 15 years and head of the Danish Air Line Pilots Association.
Director general of Lebanon’s civil aviation authority.
Moritz Burger is a pilot who has experienced close encounters with drones.
President of the European Cockpit Association and a pilot with Middle East experience.
Tim Friebe is an air traffic controller.
Tags
All Coverage
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxQUG1JZ2p5Vzk0S2FtQzZNMjNQTkM3a2xyTmRjaHo3YXp4U0lXbFpfYkZmekNSQUMzczY0ZlpaSmJxeDFweGFHcmZPc0tQOWg4SmpPcXRNZE1zbTNiY1ZrdTdKZWkxV3Zadl9COEVXVWd0TXpsbFg1NTdtSFlCanNjU2pSVXBYbFBUMWI1SDlfbWdQSmo0Z3I5OUU3SEU3aDRXd0ZPNTAwYWQxRlBvWFI5bmFfVHpCQVEzT0YzUkdsamg5alE?oc=5" target="_blank">As war spreads, airline pilots contend with drones, missiles - and stress</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Airline pilots are facing escalating risks from drone incursions and missile threats as conflicts intensify, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
Airline pilots are facing escalating risks from drone incursions and missile threats as conflicts intensify, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
Airline pilots are facing escalating risks from drone incursions and missile threats as conflicts intensify, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
Pilots are navigating increasingly perilous skies due to missile and drone threats amid escalating Middle East conflicts, raising concerns over their mental health and flight safety.
Airline pilots face escalating risks from drone incursions and missile threats as conflicts in the Middle East intensify, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
Airline pilots face escalating risks from drone incursions and missile threats as conflicts intensify, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
The outbreak of war in the Middle East has put hundreds of ballistic missiles and attack drones into the skies above some of the world's busiest airports, increasing the strain on pilots' mental health.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Booms and flight disruptions in Riyadh as Saudi-Houthi war escalates - Reuters
Booms and flight disruptions in Riyadh as Saudi-Houthi war escalates Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 12:22 PMAirline chiefs say can't fully guard against rogue pilots after flydubai attack - Reuters
Airline chiefs say can't fully guard against rogue pilots after flydubai attack Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 12:39 PMUkraine expands drone strikes on data centres owned by Russia's Yandex - Reuters
Ukraine expands drone strikes on data centres owned by Russia's Yandex Reuters
October 9, 2026 at 12:01 PMHouthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies in Yemen - Reuters
Houthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies in Yemen Reuters
October 7, 2026 at 01:21 AMOil rises as Middle East supply concerns persist amid shipping attacks - Reuters
Oil rises as Middle East supply concerns persist amid shipping attacks Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 01:25 AMDrones hit Yandex data centre in first major attack on Russian data hub - Reuters
Drones hit Yandex data centre in first major attack on Russian data hub Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 06:19 AM