Bogus self-employment is preventing the good functioning of the European aviation market and impacting negatively the working conditions of aircrew.
This paper demonstrates that self-employment in commercial air transportation is unlikely to exist.
A commercial airline pilot cannot exercise his/her profession without the continuous supervision and monitoring by the operator, as required by EASA Regulations. The pilot does not have control over cost and pricing, neither owns the aircraft she/he flies or decides (how), when and where to fly. Such regulatory and organisational facts show a clear link of subordination and an absence of own risk for the pilots. This is incompatible with the status of self-employed no matter the formal arrangements organised by the carrier and or the intermediaries.
