View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Emirates Pilots Speak of Fatigue and Safety Issues

Today [Sunday 4 October 2009], the Sunday Herald Sun in Melbourne exposes a serious problem within one of the world's biggest airlines:

“Emirates is the airline. Pilot fatigue is the issue.”

“Using US Freedom of Information laws in Washington DC, we have obtained documents that lift the lid on the true extent of this critical safety issue.”

“Among the documents are a formal complaint to US and Australian aviation authorities and internal emails between Emirates pilots and airline executives.”

“In the detailed complaint, dated December 21, 2008, the author says the document is written on behalf of Emirates pilots, stating: ‘There has been continuous pressure from the commercial department ... according to their (the pilots) opinion flight safety is becoming increasingly impaired.’”

“In other words, Emirates' pilots accuse it of putting profits ahead of the lives of passengers and crew.”

Emirates Replies:
Emirates Slams Paper for Pilot Fatigue Report, Xpress, 4 October2009.

Link to the entire article
Listen to the Pilots, Sunday Herald Sun, 4 October 2009.

Other Stories and Related Sites
The National Newspaper Seeks Readers in Fujairah, Fujairah in Focus, 2 October 2009.

Five Reasons Why Dubai Should Bid and Win the Olympics in 2020, Experiencing the Emirates, 3 October 2009.

See Alinghi’s Arrival in UAE while BMW Oracle Wants Valencia Venue, America’s Cup in the UAE, 3 October 2009.

Dying to Work or is Work Killing You? Stories for Speakers and Writers, 2 October 2009.

Dr Geoff Pound

Geoff can be contacted by email at geoffpound(at)gmail.com on Facebook and Twitter.

Image: “Emirates is the airline. Pilot fatigue is the issue.”