Controversial plans on Flight Time Legislation have
been forced through the European Parliament. The proposals would allow pilots
to land a plane after going 22 hours, and sometimes 24 hours, without sleep.
We Demand a Referendum Now MEP Nikki Sinclaire voted in favour of a motion
that would have seen these proposals scrapped, however, that motion was
defeated by 387 t0 218 votes, with 66 abstentions.
By doing so, Nikki has represented the views of
10,000 British Pilots who are dismayed by proposed changes that will decrease
flight safety for British and West Midlands passengers.
Proposals also include fewer restrictions
on the number of early (before 7am) starts in a row (an increase from 5 to
7) and carrying spare crew on very long-haul flights. All of these
issues, and many more besides, show that the proposals are unsafe, and
that is borne out of the fact that the scientific evidence has been
ignored by EASA.
The proposal could also see the removal of the
third pilot on long haul flights. The third pilot acts as the fully alert,
relief pilot, alleviating problems with fatigue.
In the USA, sensible pilot flight hour regulations
have been introduced, yet the EU seems to want to fly in the face of these
sensible rules.
The very same European proposals were
rejected by the Transport and Tourism Committee on Monday 30th September.
The Commission today undid the work of that
Committee by forcing through proposals in the European Parliament.
Nikki Sinclaire MEP will vote to reject proposals,
and said, “I voted in favour of a motion that sought to have these motions
scrapped. However, this was blocked by Parliament.
It is absolutely ludicrous that the Commission are
even attempting to force through cuts to flight safety, against the advice of
pilots, scientists, and two UK Parliamentary committees.
Passengers and pilots deserve flight safety rules
based on rigorous science and evidence, not secret dodgy meddling in
Strasbourg, which will mean that Britain no longer has the safest skies in
Europe.
Our Government must now stand up against these
proposals. Passenger safety must be of paramount importance''
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said
“…the proposals do not fully and properly reflect the scientific evidence that
should underpin fatigue management. Nor do they fully incorporate the
scientific evidence which EASA itself commissioned.”
Pilots who live within the West Midlands have been
emailing Nikki to convey their dismay
