Observing Sawm by a pilot officially assigned to fly inland or abroad

Fatwa no. 1531 All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. To proceed:The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' reviewed (Part No. 9; Page No. 143) a question submitted by Air Commodore, `Abdul-Muhsin Ibn `Abdullah Al Al-Shaykh, to His Eminence Chairman that was referred from the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars no. 2/175, dated 10 Safar, 1397 A.H. The question is:As pilots are required to fly during the day in Ramadan but the rules of flying state that pilots should not observe Sawm (Fast) while flying, and we give precedence to the teachings of Islam over all conditions, we would like to know your Fatwa on this issue. Is it permissible for pilots to break Sawm when flying during the day in Ramadan?

The Committee answered as follows:If pilots fly for a distance that makes it permissible to shorten Salah (Prayer), it is lawful for them to break Sawm during the daylight hours of Ramadan after departing the town in which the airport is located. It is permissible for them to enjoy every Rukhsah (concession) permitted for travelers, such as wiping over the Khuffs (leather socks) for three days, combining two Salahs (Prayers), and shortening the four-Rak`ah Salah (Prayer consisting of four units) throughout the flight even if they land in the airport of another country until returning to their home country even if on the same day.However, if the flight takes place over the town and its districts for the sake of drills, spraying pesticides, antiseptics, etc., they are not considered travelers. In this case, there is no Rukhsah to break Sawm in Ramadan, shorten Salah, combine two Salahs, etc., even if (Part No. 9; Page No. 144) the distance of the flight equals that for which it is permissible to shorten Salah and break Sawm in Ramadan. This case of a pilot is similar to the case of a driver who drives in the streets of a town all the day and night. It is impermissible for both of them to enjoy the Rukhsah of the traveler. It is possible to avoid hardship by carrying out these drills at night during Ramadan and the other months of the year.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.