AIRLINES in the Asia-Pacific region are mulling a change in rules that would require a second crew member to be present in the cockpit at all times, as carriers in other parts of the world implement it with immediate effect.
Some airlines that have already done so include easyJet, Air Canada, Air Berlin and Norway’s Air Shuttle, and Lufthansa has announced it will be joining the group.
The need to have a constant two-crew presence in the cockpit was underscored as investigations into last week’s Germanwings flight 4U 9525 crash revealed that the captain had been locked out of the cockpit after stepping out.
Co-pilot Andreas Lubitz is believed to have crashed the plane deliberately, resulting in the tragic loss of all 150 lives on board.
A Singapore Airlines (SIA) spokesperson told TTG Asia e-Daily that “We have strict procedures in place regarding the security of our cockpits. However as a matter of policy we do not comment publicly on security matters.”
However, local broadsheet The Straits Times reported that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is in talks with local carriers to implement such a rule, which is not mandatory. A timeline has not been set but would affect SIA, SilkAir, Jetstar Asia, Tigerair, Scoot and SIA Cargo.
A spokesperson for Japan Airlines (JAL) told TTG Asia e-Daily: “Currently there is no specific mandate by the related authorities, and JAL does not have a compulsory policy that requires two pilots in the cockpit all the time.
“Following the events related to Germanwings, JAL is now in close communications with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau regarding this issue to determine if it is necessary to adjust our existing policy.”
News agencies reported that Air New Zealand’s aviation authority has already made the rule effective for all domestic and international flights.
Meanwhile, Qantas was quoted as saying it has a strict security system in place but would not reveal more. Australian authorities are likewise reviewing whether the regulation is necessary.
