Air India's new fatigue policy under fire: Is pilot safety at risk?
-
Loading... - Akasha Channar
- 30 Sep 2024
- 56 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Air India's recent introduction of a new fatigue policy has sparked concerns among pilots and cabin crew, who fear that the review system may discourage self-reporting due to retribution fears. The policy, which involves a committee reviewing fatigue reports, has raised questions about its impact on crew safety and transparency.
The policy requires all fatigue reports to be initially logged as such in the system, but they will then be reviewed by the flight operations department, the cabin crew data team, and the airline's medical department. If the review determines that the report is unsubstantiated, the fatigue status will be changed to 'sick' on the crew portal. This has led to concerns that the policy may prevent open communication about fatigue, as crew members may fear that their reports will be dismissed or lead to retribution.
However, a senior Air India executive has defended the decision, stating that the review process is essential to prevent the misuse of the "no-questions-asked" fatigue policy. The executive explained that the system will help differentiate genuine fatigue caused by airline operations from personal issues. The policy is also aligned with global best practices, and Air India is not the only airline to implement such a system. IndiGo, for example, has a similar policy in place, where all fatigue reports are initially marked as sick and later reviewed.
The policy change is reportedly in response to a notable rise in fatigue reports at Air India over recent months, many of which were linked to personal factors rather than operational reasons. The airline has stated that its new fatigue protocol is a positive step in preventing fatigue and is compliant with regulations. Air India will continue to use scientific tools such as Jeppesen and Boeing Alertness Model to protect its crew from potentially fatiguing rosters.
While the policy's intentions may be good, it is essential to ensure that it does not compromise pilot safety and transparency. The aviation industry is heavily regulated, and fatigue is a critical safety issue that must be addressed. Air India must strike a balance between preventing the misuse of the fatigue policy and ensuring that crew members feel comfortable reporting their fatigue without fear of retribution.
