Mental health in aviation: international regulatory analysis

This thesis examines how mental health policies and regulations for commercial pilots are constructed and applied across seven major aviation jurisdictions: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the United States, the European Union, and the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The aim of this study is to assess the clarity, inclusivity, and effectiveness of these regulatory frameworks and to explore how they impact pilot well-being and aviation safety. The central research question focuses on identifying the similarities and differences in mental health governance and regulation across these jurisdictions. Grounded in Critical Theory, the research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing comparative and descriptive research designs. Content analysis was conducted on aviation regulatory documents and 35 incident reports involving psychological factors, drawn from a broader dataset of 355 aviation incidents between 2000 and 2025. The findings reveal that while some jurisdictions, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, offer comprehensive and progressive mental health frameworks, others, such as Canada, remain rigid, bureaucratic, and lacking in transparency. Key patterns across the incidents include fatigue, stress, and the underreporting of mental health symptoms due to stigma and fear of professional repercussions. The study underscores the need for more human-centred and flexible regulatory approaches. This research makes a significant contribution to scholarly discussions on aviation safety, occupational health, and policy development. It challenges traditional disqualification-focused models and offers a nuanced perspective on how mental health is operationalized within regulatory frameworks. The findings provide critical insights for improving global aviation policy to better support pilot mental health and aviation safety.