Pilots threaten strike action if EU flying hours laws adopted

The UK’s airline pilots are threatening not to co-operate if new laws harmonising flying hours across the EU are introduced.

The pilots believe the proposals could lead to fewer rest periods and longer hours, which ccould cause pilot fatigue, putting the lives of passengers and crew at risk.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) – the union representing thousands of airline pilots – has taken out advertisements in national newspapers setting out its concerns.

In the adverts Balpa outlines its concerns: “If this European fudge is adopted and we are asked to fly hours we believe to be unsafe we will not take-off.”

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Balpa accused politicians of drawing up a set of rules that are “less safe and unscientific”.

The union called for the Government to veto the proposals and have them scrutinised by independent safety experts.