FTL process must not be derailed

Responding to this development on behalf of Europes network airlines, AEA Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus said: EASA was given the unenviable challenge of combining the FTL policies of 27 Member States into a robust European standard. The EASA proposal is extremely strict and will maintain Europes position as a world leader in aviation safety.

The rule-making process was based on independent scientific research and robust safety data. All aviation stakeholders including national safety regulators, pilot unions and the industry were given the opportunity to express their views.

We are disappointed that some pilot unions have tried to leverage this rule-making process to secure better commercial conditions, said Mr Schulte-Strathaus. Individual elements may vary from other regimes around the world, but taken as a whole these new European FTL rules will be among the most stringent in the world. Some European airlines may face increased costs as a consequence, but there must never be any compromise on safety, even in difficult times.