AAP
No cut in cabin crews: Qantas
September 02, 2002
QANTAS was not planning to cut flight attendant numbers despite seeking a reduction in the minimum number of cabin crew in its aircraft, the airline has said.
The airline confirmed it would urge the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to allow it to roster one flight attendant for every 50 passengers, compared to the present requirement of one to 36.
But the airline said the push was to bring Australian regulations in line with the rest of the world, and to give it the ability to compete with any future no-frills airline.
The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia (FAAA) criticised the move, saying it would reduce in-flight safety.
"We have the safest aviation industry in the world. Why would Qantas want to downgrade that system?" FAAA national secretary Johanna Brem said.
"Until we see evidence showing there is no safety risk in reducing cabin crews, our members will remain opposed to this proposal."
Ms Brem said young, elderly and disabled passengers would be vulnerable if cabin crews were cut.
But Qantas executive general manager of operations David Forsyth said most Qantas flights operated on a one-to-25 ratio and this would not change.
Mr Forsyth said the company was merely seeking the ability to change its ratios if such a move became necessary.
"We are not saying we will reduce the number of flight attendants," he said.
"We are not intending to reduce our level of service at all."
Mr Forsyth said emergency evacuation testing had shown that a staff ratio of one to every 50 passengers was adequate.
But more staff was needed to provide services such as in-flight meals and passenger assistance.
Qantas also wanted to be able to compete on a level playing field if a future competitor entered the Australian market with a no-frills service.
Other main airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, British Airways and Air New Zealand, operate under the 1:50 ratio.
AAP
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ABC News Online
Airline denies cabin crew cut will hit safety
Qantas denies that passenger safety will be compromised if it is successful in reducing the ratio of flight attendants to passengers.
The airline has applied to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to reduce the cabin crew ratio from one in 36 passengers to one in 50.
Qantas spokesman David Forsyth says a change in ratio would not affect emergency evacuations from planes.
"Passenger safety is influenced by a whole range of things," Mr Forsyth said.
"In the event of an emergency, the things that have been shown to be necessary to get a safe and speedy evaucation from the cabin have been things like the assertiveness of flight attendants and how well they're trained, rather than the numbers."
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Last edited by Wirraway; 2nd Sep 2002 at 07:08.