European MEPs vote against new pilot flying times
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European MEPs have voted against new European-wide flying times for pilots.
MEPs in the EU Transport and Tourism Select Committee voted 20 to 13 against the new Flight Time Limitations (FTL) after facing strong opposition from airline and pilot groups.
Associations had criticised the proposals for reducing the times pilots could rest during shifts and suggesting that increased pilot fatigue would put passenger safety at risk.
The proposals will still be put forward to the full European Parliament in the coming weeks where UK MEPs will be able to vote for or against. The rules need backing by MEPs and ministers before coming into play.
The association for pilots BALPA welcomed today’s vote decision and said it will put pressure on UK politicians and ministers to vote against the proposals.
“British pilots will welcome the EU Transport Committee’s rejection of the proposed EU cuts to UK flight safety. The botched new rules have been rejected by scientists, MPs on the UK Transport Committee, British pilots with 40 million hours of flying experience between them and by the public, 90% of whom are concerned that a pilot could be landing their aircraft having been awake for 22hours,” said BALPA’s general secretary Jim McAuslan.
“The commission must now go back to the drawing board and work with pilots and scientists to develop rules on flying time and tiredness that are based on evidence and expert experience. Pilots will continue to urge UK Ministers, MEPs and the CAA to protect the safety of our skies and help pilots make every flight a safe flight,” he added.
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