INTRODUCTION: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is a challenging procedure during mechanical ventilation (MV) as it considerably reduces the endotracheal tube's internal diameter, causing a drastic increase in respiratory resistance, which may compromise the delivery of ventilatory assistance. According to respiratory physiology principles applied to MV, the reduction of inspiratory flow and tidal volume is likely to reduce airway pressure during the inspiratory phase when respiratory resistances increase. Based on this assumption, we propose new ventilator settings aimed at reducing airway pressure during FOB. This study represents the first investigation to test special ventilator settings in order to facilitate FOB during MV. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre randomised double-blind controlled trial, in which intubated patients undergoing an FOB will be assigned (1/1) either to receive the new ventilatory strategy or to stay on the ventilator settings previously selected by the attending physician. The intervention group will be applied the specific ventilator settings (inspiratory flow ≤25 L/min, tidal volume=5 mL/Kg, 1 s≤inspiratory time≤1.3 s, respiratory frequency=16 c/min, positive end-expiratory pressure=5 cm H ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the national ethics committee for the protection of the individuals (ID number: 2024-A00747-40). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06562725.