Cathay Pacific pledges to tackle issues of pilot fatigue after cockpit crews warn of safety risks
The airline admits to 'increased workload' amid recent expansion
Cathay Pacific management has admitted an "increased workload" and "decrease in rostering stability" among its pilots for the first time, after about 100 senior cockpit crew members warned in an angry letter that fatigue was putting aviation safety at risk.
In an internal letter sent to all pilots on Tuesday, the airline said it was determined to tackle issues raised by the pilots. It also said the airline's general manager of flying was leading a working group to improve rostering patterns, and investigate and propose solutions to the problem of fatigue.
The working group would make its first report in November.
Read in full: Letter 'exhausted' Cathay Pacific pilots sent to bosses claiming safety is under threat
The original letter, signed by 100 check and training captains, warned Cathay executives that flight safety was under threat as exhausted aircrews coped with escalating workloads.
Anna Thompson, the airline's director of flight operations who was the recipient of the letter issued about two weeks ago, responded for the first time and recognised issues in flight operations had resulted in exhausted crews.
"I am very aware that our recent expansion has led to an increased workload for many of our staff and crew," she wrote.