I was pretty suprised to read this on the BALPA website. Unusually strongly worded and to the point!
Media & Press • Wednesday, October 31, 2007 NEWS from BALPA
British Airline Pilots’ Association
Thursday 18th October 2007
PILOTS ‘NOT SURPRISED’ AT SCOTTISH AIRLINE LICENCE LOSS
Commenting on today’s announcement that FlyGlobeSpan’s special “ETOPs” long haul operating licence has been withdrawn by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Captain Mervyn Granshaw, Chairman of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), said:
‘In our opinion the three major attributes that are present in all the world’s safer airlines are:
‘First, pilots are treated as professionals, are respected and are encouraged to work in partnership with the employer and there is not a high turnover indicating safety fears.
‘Secondly, the airline registers itself in a state that has a competent civil aviation authority e.g. UK CAA. This can be seen from the registration letters which for the UK all start with ‘G-‘
‘Thirdly, there is an experienced and safety conscious management that does not challenge aircraft Commanders on points of safety.’
‘The evidence suggests this is not the case in FlyGlobeSpan and BALPA is not surprised at the CAA’s decision.’
End
Editor’s Note:
FlyGlobeSpan is s Scottish airline based at Edinburgh.