European flight time regulations were, are and continue to be safe

Cabin crew and pilot unions object to a regulatory proposal which will harmonise existing rules for Flight Time Limitations (FTL) and rest requirements across the EU. This week, the European Aviation Safety Agencys (EASA) rulemaking group will meet to discuss the proposal.

Todays action by pilots and cabin crew paints a misleading picture of what the EASA rulemaking group is trying to achieve, said Association of European Airlines (AEA) Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus. European FTL rules have been and continue to be safe.

The proposed FTL rules are not a relaxation of todays standards, as suggested by the unions. They simply harmonise the different FTL requirements that currently exist across Europe. They even include some new, more restrictive requirements and limitations, added Mike Ambrose, Director General of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). Airlines and regulators will never allow this fundamental safety cornerstone of our industry to be compromised.

Sylviane Lust, Director General of the International Air Carrier Association, concluded: Todays demonstration does not help the rulemaking process or the travelling public. If EASA had any concerns about the existing rules before, during or after the rulemaking process it would have reacted with immediate action.

All stakeholders, including pilot and cabin crew unions, safety regulators and airline representatives, have actively worked together in the rulemaking group and have been given the opportunity to express their views. Airlines will voice any outstanding concerns within the EASA rulemaking group. The three associations called on the unions to channel their comments into this forum.