Planned EU rules mean tired pilots could be flying 'four times over limit'

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Hazard? Proposed EU rules could compromise flight safety, a union claims

Airline pilots could be flying with levels of fatigue equivalent to five cans of lager if proposed EU rules come into effect, a union has claimed.

Pilots are on duty for a maximum of nine hours which could rise to almost 13, the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said.

The union told MP's that this would see pilots flying with tiredness levels equal to putting them four times over the legal alcohol limit.

Balpa presented the evidence, which it said was calculated using a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) computer programme, to MPs at Westminster.

Flight safety and security head, Dr Rob Hunter, said: 'Alcohol and lack of sleep affect our abilities in similar ways.

'The limit on pilots' blood alcohol is rightly set down in law. The Government cannot say on the one hand that flying while over the alcohol limit is unsafe - which it is - and at the same time do nothing to oppose regulations which would allow pilots to be flying equivalent to four times that same limit.'

Balpa's chairman, Captain Mark Searle, added: 'The current UK rules are far from perfect, but they are an awful lot better than the EU's plans.

'We must have safe, scientific flight time limitations for pilots which don't allow pilots to be flying over built-up areas on approach to airports with the equivalent of five cans of lager in them.'

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The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said consultation was ongoing and any changes would not come into effect until next year.

The EASA added that there would be otherbeneficial changes such as increased rest at a destination for 'significant time zone crossing'.

It said there would be a reduction to 1,000 flight hours on a current 1,200-hour EU limit per 12 calendar months.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The safety of passengers is paramount, and we will not allow this to be compromised. While the European Aviation Safety Agency's final proposals have yet to be set out, we will seek to use subsequent negotiations to ensure any new rules provide adequate protection against fatigue.

'The UK has been clear that it will not vote in favour of any rules until the CAA is satisfied that this has been achieved.'

The CAA said it was 'awaiting final recommendations' from the EASA and questioned Balpa's comparison of alcohol intake and fatigue.