The 38,000 airline pilots in the European Union are demanding that the recommendations from a scientific team investigating pilot fatigue should be adopted as soon as possible.

'This new independent scientific study published today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) shows that pilot fatigue laws in Europe need to be reviewed,' said Jim McAuslan , General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) which, with 10,000 members is the largest flight crew union in Europe

The Scientific and Medical Evaluation of Flight Time Limitations - detailing when pilots can fly and when they should rest through different time zones - has identified a number of legal provisions that need to be improved to ensure adequate levels of flight safety.

'It will be up to European institutions to revise flight time limitations laws without delay in order to avoid the risk of fatigue contributing to accidents and incidents,' Jim McAuslan added.

'I am writing to the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, to ask the British Government to get behind the recommendations and see that they are adopted.'

In the UK, flight time limitations have traditionally been fixed by the Civil Aviation Authority and has given Britain world-leading safety standards.

But when the EU decided to seek common flight time limitations across Europe it settled on a package of measures which could dilute those standards. However after a campaign by BALPA it was agreed that the UK could stay with the traditional CAA regulations (CAP 371) as a means of compliance to EU OPS Sub Part Q.

It was also agreed, after further pressure from BALPA and all the other pilot unions in Europe who work together as the European Cockpit Association (ECA), that the new EU package should be put to an independent team of medical and scientific experts for evaluation.



It is this report which has been released and acting on its recommendations (rather than burying them) is vital.

Jim McAuslan said: 'I shall ask Geoff Hoon whether we are in Europe to gravitate together to the highest standards or to the lowest. The independent report gives us a great opportunity to establish a baseline from which we can develop the highest possible standards across Europe.'

When the European Parliament and the European Council of Ministers agreed in 2006 that there should be an independent evaluation of the new EU flight time limitations package they had approved, the European Commission was mandated to draw up and submit proposals without delay to amend the relevant technical provisions on the basis of this now published scientific evaluation.

The limits on flying hours (flight time limitations) is a cornerstone of aviation safety. Scientific research has long established the link between pilot fatigue (long duty hours following insufficient sleep) and the risk of accidents and incidents. Scientific experts identify fatigue as a contributing factor in 15 to 20 per cent of all fatal aviation accidents caused principally by human error. Flight crew can only perform their duties safely if they are sufficiently alert, especially in critical circumstances. This is not possible in the presence of fatigue.

'European passengers and crews have the right to benefit from scientifically based safety standards,' Jim McAuslan said. 'And European regulations must ensure that crews are fit to operate and free from fatigue.'

Further information from Keith Bill 020 8656 0860 or 07968 528 527

Information on Flight Time Limitations (Eurpoean Cockpit Association) - HERE