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Economics of flying
Two factors are mainly used to define a product: the price & the quality. Normally, a low price does not come with a high quality. But the lower the price, the higher the demand. In aviation, this is not different! While customers have a clear understanding of the price of a high-quality car or a top-fashion handbag, only few have an idea about the costs of a flight-hour of a reasonable quality. Keep reading +
by Capt. Dirk Polloczek, ECA President
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Despite years of raising awareness and warnings about the dangers, the number of laser attacks on cockpits keeps growing. At the same time, Europe still lacks legislation or even a common approach to cracking down on the epidemic of the misuse of lasers. Meanwhile, the UK can pride itself with new a law – the Laser Misuse Act – which is an ambitious step to reducing the laser attacks on all vehicles, including planes. Keep reading +
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One year ago, we jointly discussed the need to fill the ‘Social Agenda’ chapter of the Commission’s EU Aviation Strategy with concrete life (see here).
One year later, we are still awaiting concrete proposals and initiatives on this Social Agenda. Especially on precarious atypical crew employment, applicable law & jurisdiction, 3rd country crews, and growing social dumping practices.
Social Dialogue – both at national and EU level – has, since then, been mentioned by your services as one of the avenues to accompany urgently needed legislative and regulatory measures.
Social Dialogue, to succeed, must be practiced in a fair, respectful manner and according to set rules. This also applies when one side decides to take legitimate industrial action, abiding by all the rules required for carrying out a legal strike. Keep reading +
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Ryanair announced cuts to 20% of its Dublin-based fleet this winter and possibly the dismissal of 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew in the weeks to come. This decision comes in the immediate aftermath of a series of one-day strikes by Irish based pilots and further industrial action across Europe. It will fuel frustration among its workforce even further and risks exposing Ryanair passengers to ever more uncertainty about their travel plans over the summer. Rather than responding in a positive manner to its crew’s demands for fair and decent working conditions (this dispute is not about pay), Ryanair has determined to take a decision that has significant potential to harm even more of their customers. Keep reading +
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Pilots & maintenance: a well-oiled machine
Aircraft maintenance is a key component of flight safety. This is why a recent warning by aircraft engineers of deteriorating safety standards in aircraft checks raised alarm across the pilot community.
Aircraft Engineers International warned that some national authorities allow aircraft to be operated without a physical check performed by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. Instead, the aircraft check would be done by an unlicensed mechanic with only the paperwork being verified by a licensed engineer, after the check. Keep reading +
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Exposure to ionizing radiation and its carcinogenic/mutagenic potential has received considerable attention. Whereas annual exposures for ground-based radiation workers have been successfully reduced, airline flight crew exposures remain at levels substantially above those of other radiation-exposed workers and are increasing with modern flight operations. Keep reading +
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ECA is particularly supportive of Peer Support Programs becoming mandatory for each and every airline in Europe
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The aim of this study is to evaluate flight- and duty-times of airline pilots during summer schedule under the current regulations in the EU (cf. EASA FTL). The research specifically focuses on the effects of Flight Time Limitations in force, actual flight and duty times and their potential correlates in pilot health and well-being. More about this survey +
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The European Commission is about to adopt a new regulation concerning mental fitness, mental well-being and mental health of flight crews. European airlines will have to deal with this topic on a mandatory basis in the future. However, the proposed regulation by EASA grants leeway to airlines on how to implement mental health support. More about the survey +
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