“I knew I was burning thousands of gallons of oil every time I went to work. And I couldn't live with that idea anymore.” For more than twenty years, Anthony Viaux worked in one of the most envied jobs in the world. A job that makes children dream and which allows them to travel all over the world. One of the rare jobs where the uniform is still respected. Some even go so far as to say that it makes you fantasize.
An airline pilot, Anthony had the chance to work for one of the most popular airlines in the world: Air France. But he chose to resign, abandoning the beautiful captain's uniform and the nice salary that goes with it, while abandoning his greatest passion: flying. If he made this choice, it is not out of weariness. “This job is absolutely incredible. I think people don't realize how exciting it is. It's very hard to get there because there are so many contenders. For me, as for many others, it was a true childhood dream.”
In 2018, the man who had previously served as co-pilot became captain. “The holy grail of every pilot,” as he said in a much-discussed LinkedIn post. This childhood dream took a turn for the worse when Anthony began to suffer from eco-anxiety. From then on, it became very complicated for him to continue flying. Impossible even.
“This job is my whole life”
After twenty-two years at Air France, Anthony resigned. A bold and risky choice but one which had become inevitable for this experienced pilot. “This job is my whole life, my greatest passion. I worked for one of the greatest airlines in the world but I was suffering from it. When I went to work, I felt fear, anger, sadness. I had a feeling of helplessness and loneliness.”
When he was flying, Anthony indulged his passion. A passion that he considered more and more destructive. For the planet, but also for him. “When we work at Air France, we fly over the Alps very often. I spent my life watching them. And one day, I understood that I saw these glaciers melting. I was no longer in tune with my beliefs. I felt guilty.”
At the age of 49, the former pilot admits that he was sometimes mocked when he shared his turpitudes. Because in the industry, many enthusiasts defend aviation, praising the efforts of manufacturers and airlines to limit the environmental impact of the sector. It's true. Consumption per passenger per kilometer was divided by more than two between 1990 and 2018, recalls the Carbone 4 agency. The problem is that air traffic has multiplied by almost five over the same period.
“I needed this to look at myself in the mirror”
According to Greenpeace, the aviation sector contributes 6% to global warming. Especially since in addition to burning kerosene, planes also leave condensation trails which contribute to the greenhouse effect. “I have no desire to become the spokesperson for a movement to save the planet. Everyone knows that individual action like mine will not save anything. But I needed that to be able to look at myself in the mirror,” continues the former pilot.
Unable to continue, Anthony resigned himself to taking a sabbatical two years ago. A period during which he trained in his new profession as a naturopath. Suffering from a rare autoimmune disease, he chose to use natural methods to treat himself. A bold choice which allowed him to “realign with his compass”. “I have spent my life serving people, connecting humans. In a sense, with this job as a naturopath, I continue to help others,” he says with a smile.
Air traffic continues to explode
A choice that some will no doubt have fun criticizing, without imagining that it involves real sacrifices for this son of an Air France flight attendant. “Since I was little, I have seen my mother in uniform. I always dreamed of doing this job. And yes, I miss him and I will miss him. But it’s a considered, assumed decision.”
In 2025, the Earth should, for the first time in its history, exceed five billion passengers carried by plane. A figure which will only increase in the years to come according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata). This year, the companies are expected to generate a cumulative net profit of $36.6 billion, an increase of 16.1% compared to profits expected in 2024.
