EASA published flight and duty time limitations and rest
requirements (FTL) for commercial air transport as an
Opinion, the proposed rules contain more than 30 safety
improvements compared to current requirements and
introduce new limitations to the way crews can be
scheduled. The Opinion takes full account of
the fact that fatigue is one of the main factors
affecting human performance and makes no provision for
increased pilot flight hours. On the contrary, allowed
duty periods at night are reduced, rest for flights with
time zone crossings is significantly increased, and new
rules are introduced for limiting crew standby.
These FTL rules are the final step in a fully
transparent rulemaking process, with unprecedented
scientific input and public consultation. More than 50
scientific studies were analyzed, while all concerned
stakeholder groups including flight and cabin crew
organizations, airlines, and Member State
representatives were consulted throughout the process.
Commenting on the release of the Opinion, EASA's
Executive Director, Patrick Goudou, said: "These
harmonized flight crew duty time rules are based on
scientific evidence, risk assessment and best practice.
With this Opinion, EASA proves once again its commitment
to make no compromise with the safety of air passengers
in Europe and throughout the world." The
Opinion will now enter the legislative process. It will
be finalized by the European Commission and must be
approved by Member States, with Parliamentary scrutiny.
The new rules are expected to be adopted into EU law
after mid-2013 and fully implemented by the end of 2015.
The CAA is the UK's specialist aviation regulator. Its
activities include: making sure that the aviation
industry meets the highest technical and operational
safety standards; preventing holidaymakers from being
stranded abroad or losing money because of tour operator
insolvency; planning and regulating all UK airspace; and
regulating airports, air traffic services and airlines
and providing advice on aviation policy from an economic
standpoint.
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