Airlines wary of new working time rules 

The airlines' concern follows the publication of a "scientific and medical evaluation" by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which recommended limiting flight time for pilot and crew for safety reasons. 

The study led pilots to call for an "immediate review" of current rules limiting flight time. Martin Chalk, president of the European Cockpit Association (ECA), accused airlines of "acting like ostriches with their heads in the sand" in opposing the recommendations of the scientific review. 

Airlines responded by openly questioning the scientific credibility of the EASA-commissioned paper. Vincent De Vroey of the Association of European Airlines (AEA) suggested that "the study is not a serious study". He argued that the evaluation "can't be considered independent," since EASA had engaged in "cherry-picking" to push a trade union agenda. 

Karen Robertson, a senior scientist at QinetiQ and co-author of the paper, admitted that the evaluation did not constitute a study "in the strict scientific sense". But she rejected AEA's accusations of cherry picking. 

Airlines not consulted 

Ryanair's director of operations, David O'Brien, said that the low cost airline "feels disappointed that the study had not contacted them". He said Ryanair had been operating working practices consistent with Europe's current flight time limitation rules since 2003, and had "significant data" which it "would make available to EASA" if asked. 

Speaking to EurActiv, Dr Mark Rosekind, Ryanair's scientific advisor on crew working time policy, said that the focus on flight hours was "misguided". Other factors, such as the "stability and predictability of hours are extremely important, and rarely dealt with," he said. 

Rosekind, who is a former NASA scientist and former director of the Center for Human Sleep Research at Stanford University, told EurActiv that his study of Ryanair's extensive flight data revealed that under current working-time practices, fatigue was "not a factor" in so-called "flight events" – industry-speak for unintended incidents. 

The Ryanair-commissioned study reveals some counter-intuitive findings. For example, "more flight events took place early in the working week". Rosekind spoke of his intention to publish his findings in an academic journal.

The California-based scientist said "valid, relevant, scientific data is needed to guide regulation, policies and practices". 

Legal requirement 

Alessandra Zampieri, acting head of the European Commission's air safety unit, said there was a "legal obligation" to produce the study. However, she said there was no obligation to "transcribe" the study's findings into legislation. Any steps taken by EASA would require a "full impact assessment," added the Commission official. 

Black list updated 

Separately, the Commission yesterday (8 April) updated its 'black list' of airlines banned from entering EU airspace. The list imposed a ban on six airlines from Kazakhstan, one airline registered in Thailand and another Ukrainian carrier, as well as on operations of all carriers certified in Benin.