Emirates chief dismisses pilot fatigue claims

SAFETY PLEDGE: Emirates on Sunday dismissed claims regarding pilots' fatigue risk. (Getty Images)

Emirates Airlines on Sunday dismissed claims that it was putting profits before safety regarding its management of pilots' fatigue risk.

The Dubai carrier said it "strongly refuted" press reports from Australia that alleged its pilots had voiced concerns that "safety is becoming increasingly impaired".

Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said in a statement: "Emirates reiterates its absolute commitment to safety. Emirates is a world leader in the management of pilot fatigue and alertness.

"Our Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) continuously monitors pilot alertness across a broad spectrum of international destinations, varying crew configurations and regulatory requirements."

He added: "Emirates is surprised that objective data provided by it was not included [in the report], and one-sided articles were published based on statements from anonymous persons."

His comments came in response to an article in the Melbourne-based Sunday Herald Sun which cited internal emails between Emirates pilots and airline executives.

But Vaughan added: "Unlike other carriers, Emirates uses two Captains and two First Officers on its long-haul flights. Most other airlines have only one Captain and two First Officers.

"Responsibility for preventing the onset of fatigue rests both on the operator and crew."

The paper claimed the fatigue factor had contributed to a near-fatal accident at Melbourne Airport back in March.

But Vaughan said: "The crew of EK 407 (Melbourne-Dubai, 20 March) were allocated a 24-hour layover in Melbourne - a sufficient time period to use the rest facilities provided. When it released its preliminary report on the event, the Australian Transport & Safety Bureau indicated it had not found any evidence to suggest fatigue was a causal factor."

He added: "Emirates has a positive and open reporting culture that helps management understand safety issues before they become significant concerns."

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READERS' COMMENTS

EMIRATES
Posted by MAHOMEDZICAR OSMAN, DUBAI, UAE on Monday 5 October 2009 at 18:33 UAE time


I'm frequent flyer of Emirates (EK 121 163 324) and allow me to say the so called can be again one of the rumors envolving people who are targeting UAE in general and in all areas.
As per my experience, flying for last twelve years, Emirates is one of safest Airlines across the World and this can make a lots of people jealous.

The other side of the coin.....
Posted by Ian, Dubai, UAE on Monday 5 October 2009 at 12:35 UAE time


Well he would say that , wouldn't he?
For views of pilots and crews see this forum http://www.pprune.org/

Scroll down to the Middle East section for several topics about EK, including this one about alleged overworking of flight crew.

Listen to the pilots, not the suits
Posted by John, Dubai, UAE on Monday 5 October 2009 at 08:46 UAE time

Pilots fly because they love what they do, make good money doing it at EK and elsewhere and have a very interesting lifestyle. They are also the worst old women when it comes to gossip, but on safety there is a code, speak only the truth. If EK thinks a 24-hour layover is enough because it is within rules, it is much mistaken. Suits sit in first or business class swigging champagne, so they haven't a clue what actually happens at the sharp end.

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