Today one of the biggest newspapers in the Netherlands, AD, has a story on the frontpage titled 'KLM also takes risks' (translation of 'Ook KLM neemt risico's')
Decided to start a new thread on this news to keep the Ryanair thread on topic. I guess that topic will get some more new postings this week.
The news has been reported to the newspaper by SP (left wing political party in the Netherlands) by member of parliament Farshad Bashir.
Bashir sent a message on Twitter that he contacted the largest Dutch newspaper Telegraaf about this 'news' weeks ago. But Telegraaf did not publish his info. No strange as Telegraaf is very much a pro KLM newspaper.
The article (in Dutch) can be read here:
'Ook KLM laat piloten met weinig brandstof vliegen' - AD.nl
KLM responded that it does not recognize the complains and that safety is its first priority.
On page 2 the article continues with a big headline: SP (the political party): This is part of the company culture of KLM
To me this sounds the same as the KRO Reporter:
some journalists or politicians want to get their two minutes of fame. As cost reduction is important for allmost all airlines it is not strange that pilots are 'advised' to be economical with extra fuel. As long there are no sanctions I do not see a problem with that.
The translation by Google of the article on internet:
"Airline KLM also exerts pressure on its pilots to use as little fuel as possible to leave. Therefore be aware serious safety risks taken, find the SP. This reports the AD.
SP (political party) Member of Parliament Farshad Bashir spoke with several employees of KLM. "KLM allows pilots deliberately with enough fuel to fly to save costs," he concludes. This "economy" led in 2009 to an incident that so far remained outside the publicity, but stated in a report that the newspaper in his hands.
A Boeing 747 of KLM was en route to Los Angeles, when it appeared that the fuel was running low and the destination is not yet in sight. The pilot wanted 'operating manual' and follow a stopover. There would, however, not the airline. KLM put pressure on the captain, but nevertheless decided to make a stopover to refuel.
Ryanair
The European organization for pilots Agency shall examine the extent to which their pilots airlines put pressure on less fuel to fly. That said chairman Nico For Bach in response to a broadcast of the program KRO Reporter, that Friday was broadcast.
The program said four of Ryanair pilots under pressure to be put to minimize fuel to carry. This society would want to save money. Reporter in sounding the alarm about the pilots. "I hope it does not crash needed to awaken everyone," says one of them in Reporter.
Ryanair argues that the editors of the report Reporter 'only with rumors and speculation "has supported and" no effort "has done to the defense of Ryanair content to be included in the broadcast.
Mansveld
Wilma Mansveld Secretary for Infrastructure, the Irish government for clarification. That said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Friday. "We have contacted the Irish authorities on this subject. They will come with a response. There is a research report prepared by the Irish. This we requested so we can study ", let the ministry know."