An Ethiopian Airlines flight missed its descent into a major airport because the pilots fell asleep, report says

The plane missed its landing because the pilots fell asleep.

According to The Aviation Herald, the plane overshot the runway at the airport in Ethiopia on August 15.

An investigation has begun into whether the pilots fell asleep, but an airline spokesman wouldn't say if they had.

According to the report we received, the flight number was temporarily lost communication with the air traffic control in Ethiopia. After communication was restored, the flight was able to land safely.

The crew has been removed from operation. The outcome of the investigation will lead to appropriate corrective action. Our first priority has always been safety.

The pilots failed to respond to multiple communication requests from air traffic control, but were woken by the autopilot's wailer after the aircraft overshot the runway.

The flight made a 25-minute descent into the airport after overshooting the runway at the airport.

On the flight from Sudan to Ethiopia, the plane hit an altitude of over 40,000 feet.

Pilot fatigue has been reported by an increasing number of whistle blowers, as pilot shortages combined with a summer surge in travel demand puts pressure on crews.

In May, La Repubblica reported an incident in which both pilots fell asleep on a flight between New York and Rome, with both unavailable for just over ten minutes.

Insider reported in July that regulators were looking into Wizz Air after its CEO encouraged pilots to fly more hours, while airline staff told CNN that sickness and fatigue levels had gone through the roof.