Air safety agency proposes new limits on flight duty

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published on the 1 October 2012 its proposal to amend the current EU rules on flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements (FTL) for commercial air transport. Released in a final proposal known 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 will now enter the legislative process. It will be finalised 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.

• Primary Source

Website: European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) http://easa.europa.eu/home.php

EASA: Press Release, 1.10.12: EASA proposes new harmonised rules to avoid flight crew fatigue http://easa.europa.eu/communications/press-releases/2012/EASA-press-release-01102012.html

BBC News, 1.10.12: EU flying rules changes raise crash risk, say pilots http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19781688

European Cockpit Association: Press Release, 21.1.13: 22 January: Across Europe pilots and cabin crews ‘walk out’ for passenger safety http://www.eurocockpit.be/stories/20130121/22-january-across-europe-pilots-and-cabin-crews-walk-out-for-passenger-safety

EASA: Press Release, 22.01.13: EASA strongly opposes disinformation campaign on Flight Time Limitations https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/press-releases/easa-strongly-opposes-disinformation-campaign-flight-time

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