HIV In the Aviation Community
The stigma on HIV infection across opportunities in aviation
Acquiring HIV might not be a death sentence anymore, but it still feels like one for many, this viral plague has destroyed those whose dream is of flying.
Employment discrimination against HIV+ candidates has been outlawed in many countries¹. Yet there is distrust among candidates about disclosing their infection status when applying for jobs, more so cautiously when applying for one within the aviation industry which is particular on hiring the medically fit.
Is their skepticism unfounded or is the aviation industry still really hesitant on hiring the HIV+?
While the hunt for a successful vaccine has been long overdrawn, the advent of anti-viral medication became a medical messiah in the war against HIV². HIV+ people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) go on to lead normal lives with comparable life expectancy to that of the non-infected population with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
ART effectively interferes with the mechanism of viral reproduction, almost ridding the body of the virus, a condition referred to as ‘undetectable’. They do such a good job at controlling the viral load that the risk of transmission becomes highly improbable and to the extent that the infection is not picked up by standard HIV tests.
This, however, is exploited by some who feel they would be judged harshly for their disease when being evaluated for a job or its continuance.
With many countries relaxing their requirements on routine HIV testing for aviation-related duties, this has led to a culture of withholding information on the health and mental status among aviation professionals. One that has, time and again, cost heavily for aviation.
The struggle is even more for aspirants who are yet to start their careers in aviation. The rules for medical fitness in aviation are easier on those who go on to acquire the disease while exercising the privileges.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the governing civil aviation body in Europe, imposed more frequent and stricter evaluations on medical fitness without the punitive cancelation of the license.³
In what seems like a conundrum, aspirants vying to break into the aviation sector were barred from being issued the same license on grounds of medical fitness.³
This absurdity in practice had to be addressed. Such is the story of an airline cadet, who fought the system when denied the opportunity to train and join the ranks of pilots at EasyJet.⁴
The Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, in the United Kingdom, after much review, now grants HIV+ applicants the license to partake in multi-crew airline operations.⁵
Another heroic story comes from South Africa, of a cabin crew who when reprimanded of duties after disclosing the recent status of infection, fought to keep the job.⁶
Stories of such breakthroughs are far from many. Especially considering how many countries hold strong moral sentiments against the disease.
Even with airlines getting on board with hiring the HIV+, flying to these destinations adds to their task of mindful rostering aimed at safeguarding the interests of their employees and respecting the laws of the land they fly into.
Life after the struggle isn’t a bed of roses either. HIV+ candidates are subjected to a battery of tests every six to twelve months that aim to assess their neurological response, motor skills, and cognitive abilities, an ordeal many of their colleagues have to only undertake once, at the beginning of their careers.
EASA has now taken upon itself to review and amend changes to its books on the certification of applicants with HIV+ towards commercial pilot licenses, a move that has been long overdue but welcoming in spirits.⁷
While propositioning changes to attitudes in employment might be the reality in some nations that have good and affordable healthcare systems in place, HIV remains a health crisis challenging the scarce economy in many others.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect the position of any relevant agency.
Further reading:
[1] International Labour Organisation Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work
[2] HIV Vaccines; https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/potential-future-options/hiv-vaccines
[3]HIV positive man unable to become a commercial pilot; https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-42325414
[4] HIV positive pilot goes public in a bid to tackle stigma; https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-51066420
[5] CAA restricts commercial pilots with HIV to multi-pilot operations; https://www.pilotcareernews.com/caa-restricts-commercial-pilots-with-hiv-to-multi-pilot-operations/
[6]Flight attendant grounded because of HIV status; https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2018/06/13/flight-attendant-grounded-because-of-hiv-status/
[7]European Union Aviation Safety Agency; Report on medical certification of pilots living with HIV
