In an in-depth publication, the international news platform asks EuroNews Today, we focus on a critical blind spot in European aviation safety: the lack of a standardized reporting system for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and the persistent occupational stigma among flight crews.
The article by EuroNews journalist Marta Pacheco reveals, among other things, that the European Commission has been aware of UAP behind the scenes for quite some time and wants to expand air and space observation capabilities. Nevertheless, a central, uniform reporting structure is lacking at the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
90% of the notifications remains unspoken
In the EuroNews article, policymakers, experts, and experienced captains speak about the operationalization of safety in practice. Joachim Dekkers, chairman of UAP Coalition Netherlands (UAPCNL), emphasizes to EuroNews that the current policy is at odds with a healthy Just Culture within aviation:
“The greatest danger to European aviation safety is the silence caused by stigma, whereby up to 90% of pilot observations remain unreported. Without a dedicated UAP category in safety systems, flight crews are forced to misclassify critical data. The EU cannot remain a world leader in aviation safety if we refuse to make what is happening in our airspace measurable.”
Experiences from the cockpit and political reactions
In addition to UAPCNL, active commercial pilots share their personal experiences in the article. They describe how the lack of clear guidelines and training can lead to distraction and reduced situational awareness.
MEP Fabio Di Masi also speaks out in the EuroNews survey about the need for transparency, data integrity, and removing the stigma, with a view to safeguarding the safety of our critical infrastructure and European airspace.
Concrete call to European institutions
UAPCNL supports the key recommendations from the EuroNews article and calls on the European Commission, the European Parliament and EASA to:
- Standardized reporting: To introduce a dedicated UAP reporting category within European notification systems (such as ECCAIRS2).
- Protection of personnel: To explicitly protect pilots and crew members against professional stigma and reputational damage when reporting UAP.
- Central data analysis: To streamline the exchange of safety data between EU Member States for the benefit of airspace awareness and sovereignty.
Original article and source reference
The full investigation, including all testimonies and official responses from EASA and the European Commission, can be read on EuroNews.
🔗 Click here to read the full article by Marta Pacheco on EuroNews
