“For years now, aircrews have been waiting for safe rules to counter the dangers of crew fatigue on flight operations”, stated Nico Voorbach, ECA President. “Surveys show that pilots and cabin crew are already struggling with high levels of fatigue, nodding off at the controls of aircraft. Nonetheless, EASA chose to disregard scientific recommendations and put forward a proposal that accepts high levels of aircrew fatigue.” 

“No progress has been made towards addressing the deep safety concerns of aircrews. This must change”, said Francois Ballestero, ETF Political Secretary for Aviation. “Otherwise flight safety standards across Europe will go down and crews will be obliged to fly schedules which are outright dangerous and will adversely affect the safety of flight operations. This ‘Walkout’ will show that we are determined to do whatever it takes to ensure flight safety.” 

“If the Colgan Air accident showed us something, it’s that a tired pilot is a dangerous pilot. EASA’s rules fail to address this and this must change today”, stated Nico Voorbach. The ‘Walkout for Safety’ will be a jointly coordinated by ECA and ETF event which will include numerous actions, possibly up to and including industrial actions.